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Boxing back on show at Dudley Town Hall

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Ryan Aston will tick over and Ricky Summers will return in six-round action when professional boxing returns to Dudley Town Hall.

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The venue hosts paid pugilists for the first time in eight-and-a-half years on December 5 with Paul 'PJ' Rowson again the promoter,

writes Craig Birch.

Darren McDermott headlined the last card there on Thursday 28 June 2007, winning the Midlands middleweight title with a second round stoppage of Conroy McIntosh.

'The Black Country Bodysnatcher,' now 35 and retired, moved on from there to win the English crown and challenge for both the British and Commonwealth belts.

Now the new generation of fighters will be expected to restore old glories with Dudley's Aston - who was coached by McDermott as a child at Priory Park Boxing Club - top of the bill.

'Tank' is a top contender to the English light middleweight strap, having defeated Nathan Graham by fourth round TKO in an eliminator.

The 24-year-old southpaw tunes up against Christian Hoskin-Gomez, who should provide stubborn opposition after his recent run.

The Devon-based Spaniard, with 13 bouts on his record at just 20, has taken two points wins and a draw from his last three outings.

He's boxed in the Black Country before, too, and went the distance with Midlands super middleweight champion Andrew Robinson last year.

Tipton's Summers provides chief support in his first outing for nearly nine months, after taking a break and switching coaches to join up with Jon Pegg.

International opposition awaits him over six in the form of Lithuanian Egidijus Kakstys, who Pegg ran the rule over on Saturday night.

Kakstys put up a fight against debutant Nicky Powell in the Holte Suite at Aston Villa Football Club, winning one of the four rounds and taking a share of another before going down on points.

The undefeated Summers will be looking to pick up where he left off with his 10th pro win, before resuming his target of titles in the New Year.

The under-card, all four-round contests, will see Rowley Regis' Tyler Denny undertake a tricky test against the capable Chris Jenkinson.

Unbeaten Denny, a tough southpaw from Shaun Cooper's gym in Brierley Hill, has scored a hat-trick of paid points wins and floored James Conroy in his last contest.

Jenkinson represents a step up and comes to spoil the party. He nearly put a blemish on the record of Bloxwich's Daniel Breeze, who had to win the fourth and last round to avoid a draw.

Netherton's Les Byfield will have his work cut out for him with the durable Dan Carr, who has only ever been stopped once in 83 pro contests.

'The Minefield' is back on track, though, having won on points twice since losing his pro debut. The lightweight floored Michael Stupart last time out.

Brummie Matt Windle, formerly an amateur at Warley Boxing Club, turns pro and will be looking to have the last word over Anwar Alfadli.

The punching poet, who teaches the literature in schools as a day job, will be looking to put in a super-heroic performance in fitting with his 'Matt Man' persona.

Flyweight rival Alfadli will be happy to play the villain as he prepares for his 6oth pro bout, having failed to complete the distance on just four occasions.

Former world kickboxing champion Brad Foster, from Lichfield, will become one of the youngest professionals in the country when he debuts against Josh O'Donnell at bantamweight.

Tickets, priced at £35, £50 ringside and £70 stage, are on sale now. For more information, call 07976 283 157. The show's official after-party will take place at the nearby Castle Hill Casino.

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