'Southpaw school' with a world champion
Black Country boys Ryan Aston and Tyler Denny feel on top of the world after staging their own 'southpaw school' with WBO champion Andy Lee.
The three left-handers have been putting each other through their paces down at Adam Booth's gym in London and will do so again on Sunday.
Booth sought sparring partners for Irishman Lee, the world middleweight titlist who defends his crown against Billy Joe Saunders, another southpaw, next month.
A call again went to Aston's coach Paul Gough, who took him down for a session in September before Lee's bout with Saunders was postponed, due to a training injury for the challenger.
'Tank' went on to remove Nathan Graham by fourth round stoppage in an eliminator to become a top contender to the English light middleweight title, writes Craig Birch.
The 24-year-old seized the opportunity of more top-class sparring and, this time, Gough brought along three-fight novice Denny to the capital with them.
Aston took the lead and finished the distance, while Denny was chucked in for four of the 12 rounds against their illustrious opponent.
All parties felt the benefit, with the West Midlanders preparing for their next ring dates when pro boxing returns to Dudley Town Hall, after an eight-and-a-half year absence, on December 5.
Dudley's Aston said: "You can't buy that sort of sparring and I always pick up a few things when I go down there.
"Andy is a tall, rangy operator with a great jab, so it's important to get on the inside and throw those short shots without hesitation. You have to find your range quickly.
"There's no rest with that level of opponent but I wasn't on the back-foot, as such, I was able to attack and defend quickly.
"It helped that I've been there before and, when I'm in the ring, it's all about me and what I do. It was a great experience in how to mix it up."
Rowley Regis' Denny is already notorious for sparring wars, particularly with Midlands super middleweight boss and stable-mate Andrew Robinson at Shaun Cooper's gym in Brierley Hill.
He said: "I was buzzing to be there and I was excited about it. I've been invited back and you can't get any better compliment than that. I felt like I did well and that gives me confidence.
"Andy is such a sharp fighter and I had to be so switched on. I boxed the way I normally do, but tried to keep it tighter.
"It was a good, technical spar and something a bit different for me. I even learned a lot watching when Andy and Ryan were in there.
"Adam and Andy were very accommodating and gave me advice, which they didn't have to. And many thanks for Paul for inviting me."
Aston tops the bill in his hometown, undertaking a six-rounder against the never-stopped 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.
Aston said: "There's a goal to become the first to take him out of there. I've made a few tweaks and, hopefully, it will all come together on the night."
A four-round middleweight affair with Chris Jenkinson represents a step up for Denny, who has scored a hat-trick of paid points wins and floored James Conroy in his last contest.
Jenkinson 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, in September.
Denny said: "It's not if, but when I pick up that win to make it 4-0. I'll take the fight to him and, as long as I perform, I'll get the job done."
Tipton's Ricky Summers returns to the ring after a nine-month hiatus in chief support with another six-rounder, at light heavyweight, against Lithuanian Egidijus Kakstys.
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 on the show and will be looking to have the last word over Anwar Alfadli.
The punching poet, who teaches the literature in schools by day, 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 60th 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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