Sam Eggington gets his Commonwealth shot

Stourbridge's Sam Eggington will get his shot at the now-vacant Commonwealth welterweight title on the Sky Sports bill in Birmingham next month.

Eggington turned in the Midlands crown, in anticipation of a crack at the belt that was last held by Birmingham's Frankie Gavin,

writes Craig Birch.

'The Savage,' 21, will co-challenge with Ghanaian champion Joseph Lamptey, a former Commonwealth contender at light middle, over 12 rounds.

Gavin, who has retained the British strap, was due to top the bill at the Barclaycard Arena on Saturday May 9.

But 'Funtime Frankie' will instead oppose fellow Englishman Kell Brook for the latter's IBF world title at the 02 Arena in London on May 30.

Much-vaunted heavyweight and Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua will replace him in the main event, undertaking his first fight in the Midlands.

Midlands debut - Anthony Joshua will box in Birmingham for the first time at the top of the bill.

Joshua has been matched with United States-based Brazilian Rafael Zumbano Love in a 10-rounder, as he warms up to face Kevin Johnson on the Gavin-Brook bill.

Love will arrive on our shores confident he can cause problems after a great win on Saturday night, capturing the interim WBC Latino and South American belts by first round stoppage.

Former world title contender Brian Rose, who is moving up to middleweight, has been added to the card as he looks to bounce back from a first round defeat to Carson Jones.

Undefeated super middleweight Callum Smith, from the famed fight family in Liverpool, also joins a revamped line-up.

Birmingham is still represented by the Yafai brothers and Matthew Macklin on the show, while Halesowen's Lennox Clarke and Bloxwich's Daniel Breeze also appear.

Kal Yafai takes on experienced Filipino Rey Megrino for the WBC silver flyweight title, while Gamal is waiting on an opponent for a super bantam eight-rounder.

Two-time world title challenger and former European middleweight champion Macklin, who turns 33 the week after fight night, takes in his first ring date of 2015.

Promoter Eddie Hearn said: "I'm excited to bring Anthony to the Midlands in our first show there for over 13 years. It's a big night for a number of Midlanders.

"Kal will takes a huge stride towards a World title shot if he wins, while Matthew is chasing a World title shot later this year and Sam is looks to continue his march in the 147lbs division.

"There is the long-awaited return of Callum Smith from injury and Brian Rose begins his campaign in the middleweight division."

Tickets are on sale priced at £40, £60 and £100 from www.barclaycardarena.co.uk. VIP passes costing £150 have been made exclusively available at www.matchroomboxing.com.