Dudley's 'Dawn of a Pugilist' in 'Matt Man'
Boxing's first professional poet Matt Windle was a man about town this week with the release of the newest superhero movie inspiring his latest prose.
'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' opened at cinemas last weekend with a huge buzz for the first cross-over film between the two,
And the concept of having an alter-ego certainly resonates with Windle, who teaches the prose in schools by day and fights by night.
The 25-year-old Brummie, who was named Birmingham's Poet Laureate in 2007, represented Warley Boxing Club as an amateur.
And he's adopted a 'Matt Man' persona since turning pro, coming to the ring masked to the sound of the original Batman theme.
The flamboyant flyweight landed at Dudley Showcase on Bank Holiday Monday for movie time, reacting to the Easter blockbuster by subsequently penning musings titled 'Dawn of a Pugilist.'
[breakout title="Dawn of a Pugilist" align="right"]
The bell has already been rung
Out in the dark among the Gods
The script, previously written
And we ad-lib certain parts
When two Titans stand battle ready
All we can do is sit and watch
A contest for the ages as warriors refuse to stop
Draw battle lines
Pick sides. Face off.
Do you bleed?
I'll prove that you will as the showdown's taking off.
Let's make art in the honor or martial
So that people from here to DC will marvel
Like an alien – standout and sparkle
As two deliver a justice that's harmful
Like fight night
Black and blue
Day versus night. Man versus... who?
Shall we ever face more than our equal?
To send echoes rippling across the universe – like the Beatles
We fear that which we do not understand
We roll with the punches like the words from our tongue
And if you're top of the ladder then I'll topple the rungs
The black masks are coming...
The red capes are coming...
The bell cannot be un-rung[/breakout]
The poet with punch's next production will see Gary Reeve play the villain on Saturday May 21, his third straight paid bout to take place in Dudley.
Unbeaten Windle returns to the Town Hall, where he made his debut in December. He also boxed at the Venue last month, outpointing Anwar Alfadli and Patrik Bartos respectively.
The show, staged by Sedgley promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson, is called 'Resurgence' where Windle will star in his third four-rounder.
Dudley's top prospects Ryan Aston and Tommy Ghent will share top billing in the first time in over four years and on home turf.
Aston will feature over six, while Ghent returns to the ring in the chief support bout of six four-rounders, after nearly three years out with his first-ever paid fight in the town.
The highly-rated welterweight resumes his pro career with an unblemished five-fight record, along with three stoppages.
Still just 23, 'the Gladiator' from Coseley turned over with Aston and boxed under David Haye's 'Hayemaker' and the Matchroom banner before vanishing from the sport in 2013.
Ghent and Aston were both talented amateurs out of Priory Park Boxing Club and were among the first to graduate to the pro section, when that element of the gym was just beginning.
The Priory Road gym - a short distance from the Town Hall - will also lead Les Byfield and Josh Miller into action on the card.
Byfield has showed resilience of his own to bounce back from being outpointed on his paid debut, reeling off four victories over-the-distance since.
The popular lightweight from Netherton, dubbed 'the Minefield,' has served his winning apprenticeship against a quartet with nearly 300 contests of pro experience between them.
'The Jackal,' a livewire super middleweight, has outworked two tough men in Iain Jackson and Mark Till to have his hand raised so far.
Rowley Regis' Tyler Denny will be champing at the bit to get back into action, after two setbacks stunted his progress.
The rugged middleweight, from Shaun Cooper's gym in Brierley Hill, was taken to a draw by Simone Lucas at the Town Hall.
Then the 24-year-old's chance to make amends, on Rowson's last offering at the Venue in Dudley earlier this month, was delayed by tendonitis in his knuckles.
Rising star Brad Foster, from Lichfield, completes the home corner as a second flyweight on show. The former world kickboxing champion is one of the youngest pros in the country at 18.
'The Blade' shut out Josh O'Donnell on points on his paid bow and did the same to Reeve, who was left swollen by the right eye. He now takes on Jordan Turner, who has two wins from four.
Tickets, priced at £40, £50 stage and £70 stage all with waitress drinks service, are available now from the promoter on 07976 283 157. The Town Hall can be contacted on 01384 815 577.
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