'Questions' to be asked of Dudley fight trio
'Questions' will be asked of Priory Park's home trio when they box on their home turf for Friday's fight night at the Venue in Dudley.
Tipton's Ricky Summers headlines the show in an eight-round British Challenge light heavyweight title fight against Carl Wild.
The Black Country hopeful has reeled off 10 straight wins since first punching for pay and now faces a step up, writes Craig Birch.
The 28-year-old tackles a co-challenger who is a former Central area boss and has shared a ring with former world champion Enzo Maccarinelli.
Sheffield's Wild, 29, has also gone the distance with British and Commonwealth titlist Bob Ajisafe, who has relinquished the former crown.
Hot prospect Hosea Burton is now in possession of the Lonsdale belt, after a sixth round stoppage of Miles Shinkwin last weekend.
Burton and Summers have sparred together with Paul Gough, head coach of the pro section at Priory Park Boxing Club, keen for them to be reunited in a competitive affair.
Gough said: "We'd accept that fight for Ricky, I don't think you can ever turn down a shot at the British title. I think it would be an excellent test for them both.
"Ricky performed well against Hosea, at a time when he had a lot of other things on his mind. He needed a break to reassess where he was.
"It looks like he's back to his old self now and he'll need to up his game for this one. Carl is tough and game and will come to win, he won't be here to make up the numbers.
"I expect it to be the hardest opponent Ricky has had and it should be. He needs to be ready for the tests that lie ahead."
Netherton's Les Byfield appears on the under-card looking to make it four pro wins from five in a four-rounder against the durable Qasim Hussain.
'The Minefield' recovered well from losing on his debut to Reece Smith to outpoint Matt Seawright, Michael Stupart and Dan Carr, all on points.
Now the former unlicensed combatant, 28, takes on a journeyman who has failed to complete the distance just once in 53 bouts.
Gough said: "We want questions asked of all the lads on the night and it will be no different for Les, but he's got a great attitude.
"Some lads come from the unlicensed game thinking it's going to be easy and find out the hard way that it's totally different in the pros.
"They either pack it in or knuckle down, which Les has done. You can't play at being a pro and he knows what he's got to do.
"He's never really fought at his own weight, I see him as a super feather in a title situation and he's always had opponents who are heavier.
"He's a decent fighter on the back-foot, that's what we saw in him but he'll have to come forward in this one. The fight could slip away otherwise."
Completing the three is Dudley's Josh Miller, who will be looking to build on his successful pro bow last year.
'The Jackal' - a nickname he picked up from his previous sporting calling in Mixed Martial Arts - takes on Mark Till over four.
Miller dominated Iain Jackson to win flawlessly 40-36 on points last October and is ready to get stuck in again on the tough Till.
The 22-year-old light heavyweight has been backed to become a busy all-action performer and is already sparring with the likes of English super middleweight champion Jahmaine Smyle.
Gough said: "Josh outworks all of our lads, he's got a fantastic engine. No matter how hard I try to drive him into the ground, he's ready to go again.
"He likes to box and move and he's already giving people like Ricky, Jahmaine and Lennox Clarke some fantastic spars.
"We're getting him used to being a pro but I can certainly see him boxing for, at least, a Midlands title by the end of next year."
Flamboyant flyweight Matt Windle's actions will speak louder than words when he takes his place in the line-up.
The Brummie, an ex-amateur for Warley, will be looking to build on his debut win over Anwar Alfadli against Czech visitor Patrick Bartos.
The punching poet, who teaches the prose in schools by day, operates under the 'Matt Man' persona and provides quite an entrance.
Brad Foster, from Lichfield, completes the card. The former world kickboxing champion is one of the youngest professionals in the country at 18.
'The Blade' shut out Josh O'Donnell on points in December's paid bow and now tackles Gateshead's Gary Reeve, who is 12 years his senior.
Tickets, priced at £35 and £50 ringside, are still available from the promoter on 07976 283 157. The Venue can be contacted on 01384 459 800.
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