Meet the Civic boxing class of 2009
The Black Country class of 2009 are stepping up their boxing careers ahead of their next obstacles at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
New pro's Ben Wilkes, Bobby Wood and Rob Doodey will be in action on a bumper card come Friday week.
The trio are the cream of an ever-widening new crop given their chance by 'First Team Promotions' this year, with the likes of Walsall teenager Joel Ryan and Dudley's Myles Holder also threatening to break through the glass ceiling.
The new kids on the block go into battle under the tutelage of respected trainer Errol Johnson, his trusted lieutenant Bob Plant and retiring pro Wayne Downing.
Essington's Wilkes is slightly ahead at the moment - this is his third fight - and has showed poise in back-to-back wins so far.
Now settling into the middleweight division after dropping six-and-a-half stone to make it as a boxer, he takes on the never-stopped Paul Royston.
The 22-year-old said: "We are all raising our game, I have been sparring with the likes of Darren McDermott in the build up to the night and I am a novice compared to him.
"I've never fought anywhere else apart from the Civic and the exposure is great, I just want to really come forward now and fulfill my potential."
The name 'Wood' needs no introduction in the region's boxing circles, Bobby's late father Joe ran the Pleck amateur boxing club in their hometown of Walsall right until he passed away in 2002.
Seven years later, Wood junior fulfilled his destiny by making his debut as a professional boxer, winning the bout in an emotional night at the Civic in April.
The middleweight now feels that he can concentrate solely on the task in hand in his second fight.
He said: "There was a lot of pressure on me in the first fight, a lot of that is gone now. The Civic will see the real Bobby Wood this time.
"It's every step as it comes for me this year, but I have big plans and ambitions that I can't wait to get started on."
Tipton's Doodey made his debut that very same night at light-welterweight to another popular ovation and sailed through his first test against the awkward Kristian Laight.
The 27-year-old went the distance after setting his stall out as an endurance fighter, a mantle he wants to maintain as he climbs the rankings.
A personal trainer by day, he will be as fit as they come.
He said: "I have really upped it this time and feel 100 times better, even though my fitness was there anyway. I have got my first fight out of the way, now I am expecting fireworks."
To be there for the big fight night, contact the box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.
