The bells are calling for Essington's Ben Wilkes
Essington's Ben Wilkes will be hearing bells of a different kind after he keeps himself busy with a bout in Birmingham tomorrow.
The 28-year-old middleweight has been handed a late notice date on a three-way joint promotion at the Venue in Edgbaston,
Trainer and cut-man Dean Edwards, Ricky Hatton's former coach Lee Beard and John Costello - father of fighters Thomas and Joe - are staging the show.
Wilkes takes part in his 10th professional contest, with just one defeat, in a four-round affair against Mark Till, as his return to the ring continues this year after a five-year absence.
The punching plumber will be sporting his trademark crew cut, courtesy of sponsors Foxy's Barbers on Cannock Road in Wolverhampton.
He's looking to get the win over Till before he gets married to partner Vicky Whitehouse in September, with a three-week honeymoon the following month.
The newly-weds are going to San Francisco and Florida in the United States, before heading to Antigua. That means it's could be well into November before Wilkes will be ready to fight again.
He said: "I'm hoping not to blow up too much, I'll be swimming and doing some exercise but it's, ultimately, a holiday.
"I've worked hard for this and it's cost us a lot of money, so I don't want to go all the way over there and be watching my weight.
"That's why I wanted another fight before I went, this came up as a possibility as long as I could do the tickets and it's useful for me.
"I'm 30 next year, so I am aware I can't be hanging around for too long. This is my third opponent since coming back, so it will help get me to where I need to be.
"I'm confident in my fitness so I wouldn't worry about to six, eight or even 10 rounds next. And opportunity will come knocking if I keep winning. We'll look at anything."
Wilkes has outpointed James Child and Dan Blackwell since lacing up the gloves again, the latter dwarfing him at the weight and roughing him up early on.
Blackwell tried to take his head off in the first round, but Wilkes stuck to skill to have his hand raised. Scrapper Till will also try to get in his face.
Wilkes said: "I didn't expect that from Blackwell, I felt quite nervous early on but I switched on and used my ability.
"I can box, dig deep and have a fight. I'm the sort of fighter who breaks people down later on, though, so four rounds is not always enough for me. I'm not a knockout artist, I'm quite sensible.
"I know Mark is game and he's not going to be a walk over, so I'll get myself sharp. It would be great to put in a flawless display, with no cuts and bruises.
"I'm keen to be worked hard, though, and he can put his work together quite nicely when he comes forward. I just want to keep my momentum going."
For more information and tickets, call Ben on 07870 897 231.
