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Jason Welborn v Ryan Aston - from the corners

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It's the fight that has got the Black Country talking - and the respective corners are confident they are training the Midlands' best light middleweight.

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Jason Welborn, from Rowley Regis, put up his crown against Dudley's Ryan Aston in a main event grudge match at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Saturday June 6.

It's one of four area title tussles on a much-anticipated small hall card, which could attract a full house of 1,700 supporters to the Civic as it approaches a sell out, writes Craig Birch.

There's bad blood between Welborn and Aston, the champion taking the unusual step of calling him out last year after being irked by comments that he "needs me more than I need him."

The two-weight area boss was still aggreived at the press call to the Rubicon Casino earlier this month, again in Wolverhampton city centre, and solemnly vowed "he won't beat me."

Aston refused to trash talk so it's down to their coaches, for now, to put forward a case to who is going to walk away from the 10-rounder with the belt and bragging rights.

No love lost - Ryan Aston (left) and Jason Welborn will settle their differences in the ring.

Welborn is back in Shaun Cooper's camp, training out of Brierley Hill. Cooper, former British title contender Lindon Scarlett and fellow ex-pro Ray 'Razza' Campbell work with him day-to-day.

All four started out under the tutelage of Ronnie Brown and most retain the boxing beliefs the respected now-retired trainer put into them. In Welborn's case, it might be how he wins.

A hammer of a right hand remains a god-given weapon but, facing a top-class operator who has boxed for most of his life, Welborn may have to think outside of the box.

He has all of one fight's more pro experience and had just seven unpaid outings, as opposed to a decorated amateur international. But he's been around longer than you might think.

The now 29-year-old was Darren McDermott's main sparring partner for years as the latter boxed for British and Commonwealth titles, plus when he was Midlands and English champion.

Brown worked closely with Welborn and gave him a grounding few others - since the days of Cooper, Scarlett, Campbell and Co - can boast.

And it's a back-to-basics approach for the two-time British title challenger that Cooper, who left the paid code undefeated, will call upon to guide him through.

The 47-year-old said: "It's 50-50, so we have put down our game plan and it's down to Jason to stick to it. I rate Ryan as a boxer, he's got a really nice style and the skills to go with it.

"It could come down to who wants it the most, but no one would argue that Jason is the stronger man. And he's knows the game, more than people give him credit for.

"I think Jason has got a bit of a buzz back for this fight, he's come back to us to get the best out of him and he knows what we are all about.

Camp - Shaun Cooper gets on the pads with Jason Welborn back in his stable as he prepares for his title defence.

"We all have that grounding from Ronnie, including Jason. He's the best for technique that's ever been around here, in my opinion.

"We prepare our lads in the same sort of style, so that will suit Jason. We train hard at our gym - a lot is one-to-one and they can't shirk anything.

"We push them all really hard. You have to be 110 per cent committed. We've changed his style a bit. He won't be taking as many body shots as he tucks up, because we have got him moving in and out.

"Every spar is tough here. We have technique sessions and everything is controlled, but expect a war most days. Let's hope Ryan is ready for one."

In the other corner on fight night will be Paul Gough, the head man of the pro-amateur Priory Park Boxing Club in Dudley where Aston has grew up since the age of nine.

The 24-year-old turned over to much fanfare, but a two-round stoppage loss to Curtis Valentine for the Midlands strap at middleweight in 2012 stunted his growth.

'Tank' has rebuilt to reel off 10 straight wins since and remains defeated just once in 18, but there's no doubt he must now beat Welborn to get back to where he was.

Aston possesses the slick southpaw skills that could make him a nightmare to pin down for Welborn, who will know as much and get in his face from the opening bell.

He's the favourite if skill beats power, but he's might need an extra gear to see off his rugged rival. Like in Welborn's camp, Gough will be telling Aston to do what he does best.

Skills - Ryan Aston bobs and weaves on the speed bag under the watchful eye of his mentor Paul Gough.

Gough said: "Ryan doesn't want to bad-mouth him. Maybe Jason has been a bit naughty with some of the comments he has made.

"Ryan wants to prove something, rather than talk about it. He's been under-estimated before, perhaps more so as an amateur, but opponents have found how tricky he can be.

"They've sparred before and Jason looked the stronger but, particularly to the body, Ryan can also hit hard. We know he's going to try and jump on him. I would be sending my lad to do the same.

"It's the boxer versus the fighter, so Ryan needs to show what won him five national titles and gave him the chance to box for England all over the world.

"He's got to stick to what he knows and know he can't stand toe-to-toe with Jason. That would be silly. But, then again, Jason can't match him in other areas.

"He's focussed on the fight and he's really looking forward to it. We are confident in what he can do, it's a big test for him but it's one he can win.

"I guess we will just have to wait and see who has their hand raised on the night."

The Midlands light welterweight title will also be contested on the bill as champion Luke Paddock, Aston's stable-mate from Bloxwich, defends against Aston's Chris Truman.

Another of Cooper's charges, Andrew Robinson, meets 'Prince' David Davis for the vacant strap at super middle. Birmingham's Paul Holt does the same against Bobby Jenkinson at feather.

For more information and tickets to the show, call the Civic box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.

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