Skydome title fight switched to Civic

Wolverhampton Civic Hall is to stage the West Midlands' biggest fight for 25 years on Friday night – the British middleweight title between champion Wayne Elcock and Dudley's Darren McDermott.

It is a huge boost for the venue, which has not hosted British boxing title fight for at least 15 years.

The Mick Hennessy-promoted Sky-televised show bout has been switched today from Coventry Skydome due to poor ticket sales.

The new show forms a joint bill, with First Team's scheduled show featuring many Wolverhampton boxers on the same night.

Sedgley-based Rowson said: "We are very pleased that Hennessy Sports have decided to bring the battle of the West Midlands to Wolverhampton after talks with First Team promotions."

The Elcock-McDermott fight has now been switched twice, with the original date in April at Aston Villa Events Centre cancelled, due to Elcock suffering from a severe chest infection.

McDermott was due to have around 300-400 fans at Coventry anyway, but demand for tickets at the 1,600-capacity venue will now go through the roof.

He said: "This is going to be like going into the lion's den for Elcock – and he won't get out with that belt! It's a massive advantage to me."

First Team's bill was due to have the Midlands' light welterweight title fight between Telford's Mark Lloyd and Newark's Andy Cole.

Wolverhampton fighters Steve Saville, Russell Colley, Rob Kenney and Lyndsey Scragg will also be in action.

Saville is making his comeback after a ring absence of more than five years, against the only man to ever take Amir Khan to the distance, Baz Carey.