Express & Star

Home comforts for Ryan Aston's title test

Published
Last updated

Dudley's Ryan Aston has stayed close to home and got by with a little help from his friends as he prepares for his shot at the big time in London.

more

Aston will undertake his first 12-rounder when he co-challenges for the vacant IBF International light middleweight title at the famed York Hall next Friday night.

Undefeated opponent and co-challenger Ahmet Patterson is the favourite on his own turf, led by promoter Frank Warren whose television channel BoxNation will broadcast the fight live.

The 28-year-old, from East Dulwich, has already lifted the English and Southern area titles but at welterweight. He's unbeaten in 16, with six stoppages, writes Craig Birch.

Aston, 24, campaigned at middleweight before dropping down and is desperate to seize what could be a last chance at the big belts, having failed to claim the Midlands title on two occasions.

But the powerful southpaw has been put through his hardest training camp yet, with coach Paul Gough becoming increasingly pleased with the results.

The pro section of Priory Park Boxing Club have all forsaken parts of their festive break to provide sparring, while Aston's Christmas was cancelled completely.

He's been put through his paces by undefeated duo Ricky Summers and Josh Miller, both natural light heavyweights, who were instructed to test his mettle.

Former Midlands light welter titlist Luke Paddock jumps in for the final rounds of sparring, to test his fatigued reactions against movement and speed.

Sessions have lasted for 12 and even 14 rounds, with his corner keen to make sure there's no chance he'll run out of steam, which cost him an area title fight to Jason Welborn on points.

Both Aston and his adversary have gone 10 rounds before, but Gough is legislating for beyond and expects a strong finish should they need the distance.

Ryan Aston takes on a familiar foe in Ricky Summers for sparring sessions.

Aston travelled to London for sparring with Andy Lee before his last two fights, but he has since lost his WBO world middleweight title to Billy Joe Saunders.

Gough said: "We haven't really felt it necessary to take Ryan out that much for sparring this time. He's got everything he needs for his fight here.

"It was hard to arrange anything with other gyms, anyway, over Christmas and New Year when most boxers are having a break.

"The lads have come in to help Ryan and have provided exactly what I wanted. They are bigger opponents and weren't tapping him with their shots, put it that way.

"But the extra power doesn't seem to bother Ryan and, believe me, he can punch himself. With the work we've done with him, knockouts will come.

Behind-closed-doors: Ryan Aston is training to come and shock Ahmet Patterson in London.

"I think he'll hit harder than Patterson, whose best wins have come over welterweights. He's arguably only a welter himself. That big left-hand could make all of the difference."

Aston and his team are smarting at Patterson's recent comments, where he vowed he will "kick off 2016 with a winning performance and start ripping the scene up."

'The Punch Picker' freely admitted he knows little about Aston's style, with 'Tank' fully aware there's no room for error on fight night.

With two defeats and two draws to go alongside his 18 wins - with eight inside the distance - he can't afford his record to get any patchier.

Gough has drummed into his charge exactly what's at stake, with this a make-or-break contest for his future in the sport.

He said: "Ryan knows it will be like starting over again if he loses and that he's the underdog going in there. He wants to prove people wrong.

"I hope for Patterson's sake he's not overlooking him, which it sounded like he has done. I wouldn't even be thinking about the next step before he's got through this one.

"He's in for a shock if the thinks he's just got to turn up to win. I think it will come down to who wants it the most.

"Ryan needs this to get him up there, he'll be world-ranked in the IBF's top 15 with Patterson's scalp if he can do the business.

"He's given everything in training and it's been the best camp we've had from him. The time for talking will soon be over."

Aston and Patterson serve as chief support on the card, with Ryan Walsh defending his British featherweight title for the first time against unbeaten Scot Darren Traynor at the top of the bill.

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.

[interruptor]