Express & Star

Top of the bill is child's play to Tommy Langford

Published
Last updated

Tommy Langford wants to show Christian Fabian Rios who the daddy is when they lock horns at Wolverhampton Civic Hall tomorrow night.

more

[gallery]

Langford defends his WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title against the never-stopped Argentinian over 10 rounds at the Civic, writes Craig Birch.

And the champion is "buzzing" after finding out this week that wife Leanne is 12 weeks pregnant with what will be their first child.

He said: "We're both very happy about it, we had the scan this week and we'll find out in January whether it's a girl or a boy.

"The missus wants to know as soon as possible! It's been a big boost for me, on a not very nice week when your making the weight.

"It might sound selfish, but nothing blocks my thoughts on the boxing. I'm overjoyed, I've been a bit emotional but still 100 per cent focussed on the fight."

The Devon-born Brummie and ardent Albion fan will have to put that to the back of his mind when the tops the bill this evening, live on BoxNation.

Tommy Langford on the scales in today's weigh-in at Wolverhampton Boxing Club.

National champion Rios, 32, is a tricky left-hander and scored a draw with countryman and Matthew Macklin's conqueror, Jorge Sebastian Heiland, three years ago.

It's been a swift ascension for Langford, who has picked up his first belt since taking out Wayne Reed in five rounds at the Civic in February.

The 26-year-old could end up bypassing the domestic scene completely, with his No 7 ranking with the WBO nudging him closer to world champion Andy Lee.

He's taken heart from Frank Buglioni, who landed a shot at the WBA title without ever boxing for the British or Commonwealth crowns.

Langford said: "It's my first time topping the bill and I've got a lot of fans coming, so I want to put on a show and that means a stoppage.

"This guy has never been knocked out before, but I believe I will get him out of there. I've got the style and we've been working on the punches.

"How long this lasts depends on how tough he is. If he stands in front of me, it will be like a birthday gift, with how I put my shots together.

"If he gets on his bike, it will take a bit longer. I think he'll come to win, so we'll have to go toe-to-toe."

Two other 10-rounders will first see former world champion Paul Butler take on another Argentinian, Hector Rolando Guzman.

The former British, Commonwealth and IBF title holder, who hovers between super flyweight and bantam, is warming up for bigger bouts.

Ryan Aston on the scales in today's weigh-in at Wolverhampton Boxing Club.

And it's now or never for Dudley's Ryan Aston, who takes on Nathan Graham in an eliminator for the English light middleweight title.

Aston - who holds an amateur victory over Langford - is determined to prove he's ready for the step up to challenge Navid Mansouri.

'Tank' is still smarting from losing at the Civic in June, missing out on the Midlands crown with a controversial points loss to Jason Welborn.

Fast forward nearly four months and it looks as if the 24-year-old southpaw's time will actually come, with Graham struggling from the weigh in.

The former Southern titlist and Aylesbury United footballer was two-and-a-half pounds over when the tipped the scales, skipping it all off.

It could leave him dead at the weight when he steps through the ropes with a fiery Aston, who vows he won't leave anything to chance.

Andrew Robinson (from left), Tommy Langford and Ryan Aston in today's weigh-in at Wolverhampton Boxing Club.

He said: "He could have lost himself this fight. Even if he wins, he won't get his shot and will money deducted from his purse.

"He looked a bit gaunt, which is strange as he's coming up from welter. It doesn't bother me though, all I care about is the job I have to do.

"I wouldn't go in there just thinking I'm going to knock him out, but I'm a big light middle and I will be putting it on him from the word go.

"I don't think he'll want the power or the pace that I am going to bring and, after last time, I want to make the result is only in my hands.

"It's do or die now, there can't be any excuses. I have to win."

Aston's Priory Park Boxing Club stable-mates Les Byfield and super middleweight debutant Josh Miller have four-round bouts on the night.

Midlands super middleweight champion Andrew Robinson, from Shaun Cooper's gym has a six-rounder against Deividas Sajauka. Stable-mate Tyler Denny battles Christian Hoskin-Gomez.

Frank Warren's television channel will broadcast live with his fighters Josh Leather, Macaulay McGowan, Leon Woodstock and Brummie Raza Hamza completing the line-up.

BoxNation is available via subscription on Sky 437-HD 490, Virgin 546 and Talk Talk 415 or online at Livesport.tv, iPhone, iPad and Android.

For tickets - priced at £40, £60 ringside and £100 front row - call the Civic box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157. Some will be available on the door.

[interruptor]