McDermott fight for new belt

Dudley's Midlands middleweight champion Darren McDermott is back in action as the bill-topper at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on October 25,

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McDermott aims to win a second belt when he fights an as yet-unnamed foreign opponent for the international Masters title.

Black Country fight fans are sure to pack out the 1,600-seater venue with eight local fighters on the bill.

In addition to McDermott's return, hot Wolverhampton light-welterweight prospect Dean Harrison aims for his ninth straight win since turning professional a year ago.

The 24-year-old, who had a comfortable points win over Nuneaton's Jason Nesbitt in Burton last week, faces experienced Ukrainian Rakhim Mingaleev over six, three-minute rounds.

Mingaleev, who is stepping up from featherweight for the trip, is veteran of 82 fights including six world title challenges - all defeats - in a 13-year paid career which has seen him lose 54 of his outings.

The Ukrainian last fought for a world title in June 2000, when he lost on points to Charles Shepherd for the IBO belt in Glasgow.

He has also twice fought for the WBA title, most recently Phillip N'Dou in Ipswich in June 1999 when he was stopped in the fourth round and Tontcho Tontchev in April 1999, when he was beaten on points.

Prior to that, he was stopped in the fourth by Paul Ingle for the IBF crown in August 1998, Moussa Sangare in the 11th for the WBC title in October 1996 and P J Gallagher on points again for the WBC championship in January 1996.

Wolverhampton's Lyndsey Scragg makes her third professional appearance and her first six-rounder against Ukrainian Olga Michenko.

Scragg, 28, has won her first two paid fights over four rounds and is now looking to keep her 100 per cent record over the longer distance.

Halesowen lightweight Scott Evans makes his professional debut after moving up from the amateur ranks with Halesowen ABC.

Brierley Hill stylist Richie Collins, Stourbridge middleweight Sam Horton and Wolverhampton veteran Conroy McIntosh are also on the bill against as yet un-named opponents.

Meanwhile, Walsall's Matt Hough fights Rob Burton at the Skydome on Friday on the undercard of the British middleweight showdown between champion Howard Eastman and Birmingham's Wayne Elcock.

Hough will have plenty of interest in Midlands Area super middleweight Neil Tidman's fight on the undercard because he's targeting a crack at the belt this year.

But the Walsall puncher has to start winning again after back-to-back defeats that followed victory in his first five fights.

Tickets are available from Paul Rowson on 07976 283157.

• West Bromwich's Wayne Downing's fight against Paul Royston is off because of a family illness.