Duo looking to put West Brom on the map
There's a big size difference between them - but Matt Gordon and Jack Summers want to put West Bromwich back on the professional boxing map.
The two debutants punch for pay for the first time on the same bill this Saturday night, in four-round affairs at Walsall Town Hall,
The last time two fighters from the town were flying high in the pro game was 2011, which proved to be when Young Mutley and Marcus Portman hung up their gloves.
Both went out on the under-card of James DeGale' clash with George Groves at the O2 Arena in London. Mutley was outpointed by Frankie Gavin, while Portman folded in three to Jamie Cox.
They had restored boxing pride in the town, though, with Mutley holding the British welterweight title while Portman challenged for the Lonsdale and Commonwealth belts at light middle.
And fight fans will get excited about Gordon, with Black Country heavyweights scant since the long-gone days of Nigel Rafferty and Jason Brewster.
After initially taking up Mixed Martial Arts, the man mountain was unearthed on the unlicensed circuit, where he won 20 out of 23 bouts.
He's turned out to be more than just a slugger, opting for skill rather than power, which he's hoping will serve him well in the pro ranks. And, aged 30, there's no time to waste.
He'll be planning to outwork first opponent James Oliphant, with his boxing sessions supplemented by personal training with ex-professional footballer Justin Richards.
Gordon said: "I've turned pro because I was on a big winning streak against some of the better guys on the unlicensed circuit.
"I was mainly boxing away, too, so I'm looking forward to fighting at a better level and leaving all the brawlers behind.
"I like to box technically and tidy. I'm really looking forward to my debut and I have been training harder than ever - up to nine times a week.
"I have sessions with my old unlicensed coach, Mark Richards, in the boxing gym and personal training with Justin on top of that.
"It's boxing specific. It's strength, fitness and resistance training, while Justin's background helps with my foot-work."
Summers enters the super featherweight ranks having proved himself to be a fighter in the right and wrong ways, but is now looking up again.
The 20-year-old first got into the sport because he was being bullied at school, then returned to boxing three years ago after personal issues.
The sweet science has always kept him in check and his professional journey now begins in earnest, against the experienced Qasim Hussain.
Summers said: "I've been doing this since I was about 10, because I was being bullied at school and wanted to learn how to defend myself.
"I really enjoyed it and went on to fight as an amateur. I ended up stopping due to getting into the wrong crowd and getting into trouble.
"I've always wanted to be a world champion and be known as one of the greats in the sport, so that's what made me go pro. It also turned my life around so, in many ways, boxing saved me.
"I'm looking forward to my debut, as it's the start of the rest of my life and a legacy I want to create."
Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 ringside, are still available from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900 and on the door come fight night. First bell is at 7.30pm.
