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Sergey Rabchenko joins Walsall line-up

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Halesowen's Lennox Clarke has already put his title rival through his paces - as former European champion Sergey Rabchenko was added to the line-up.

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Tomorrow night's offering at Walsall Town Hall is being promoted by Errol Johnson's Black Country Boxing in conjunction with ring legend Ricky Hatton.

Top of the bill Clarke and opponent Richard Horton tipped the scales for today's weigh-in at show sponsors Grosvenor Casino's Walsall venue on Bentley Mill Way, writes Craig Birch.

It came as former EBU light middleweight titlist Rabchenko was confirmed for a six-rounder in a bonus support bout to the headline act.

The big punching Belarussian, who is trained by Hatton, undertakes his first bout in England for nearly four years having just signed a deal with Warrior Boxing in the United States.

The 29-year-old from Minsk - with Mundine his only defeat in 27 paid contest with 19 stoppages - has been paired with Spaniard Miguel Aguilar.

From Belarus to Walsall - Sergey Rabchenko is a late addition to the line-up thanks to coach Ricky Hatton.

Clarke is making his own way in the pro world and is getting back into the title chase against Horton, a three-time Southern area title contender.

They will vie for the vacant eight-round British Challenge belt at super middleweight, with the Essex visitor struggling to make the 12st 2lb limit.

The 34-year-old, usually a campaigner at light heavy, came in at 12st 5lb and had to run around the casino's car park to get the added pounds off.

Clarke made the weight comfortably at 12st 1lb 12oz and wouldn't have that his adversary couldn't do the same, vowing to punish him further in the ring.

He said: "Why should I sacrifice my lifestyle to adhere to the rules if he's not going to do the same? This is not Mickey Mouse stuff, this is championship boxing.

"He was 12st 6lb when he fought Tony Dodson, so he's managed to lose a grand total of 1lb in just over a month. I don't think it's on.

"But all that won't matter come tomorrow night, as soon as I put my gloves up I'll be ready to rock and roll. I'm feeling good and this is going to be competitive.

"We had a stare down at the weigh in and I'm confident I've got this covered. I want to go in there, smash it up and put all of my hard work into action."

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The 24-year-old comes into battle undefeated after nine straight wins with one of the fastest knockouts in British boxing history, taking 14 seconds to demolish Raimonds Sniedze 17 months ago.

Horton has nine wins from 15 pro outings and is a naturally bigger man, with Clarke sparring 6ft-plus fighters like Zach Parker to get him used to the difference.

He said: "I know he's game and will be full of heart, he's tall but he looks a bit stiff and he's always looking to throw that big right hand.

"Speed and sharpness is what could get him out of there and I have the power. If I put all of those elements together, I'll be too much for him."

Former two-weight world champion Hatton will also lead Wednesbury's Sam Evans, Reuben Arrowsmith and Nathan Gorman into battle.

Light welter puncher Evans (one TKO) takes on William Warburton looking to make it a hat-trick of pro wins, while light middle Arrowsmith (3-0-0) goes up against Sam Wall.

Gorman eyes his second paid success against Jakub Wojcik while fellow heavyweight Matt Gordon, from West Bromwich, hopes to make it three out of three against Lukas Horak.

Sandwell cohort Manny Zaber (3-0-0) tackles Liam Richards at lightweight.

Stoke's Kieron McLaren (6-0-0) completes the card at light welter against the capable 'Fonz' Alexander Anderson in a second six-rounder. The rest, apart from Clarke and Rabchenko, are over four.

Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 ringside, are still on sale and can be bought from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900. There will be some available on the door.