Dudley duo's first year thumbs up

Coseley southpaw Ball and Cradley Heath featherweight Male are both in action at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on July 17.

For the former, facing Martyn King is his first fight as a second year pro, with a record standing at 6-0 after a winning start against Paul Royston last June.

The latter doesn't mark his first anniversary until September, but this is likely to be his last bout before then.

Ball turned 25 on Sunday and the trainee quantity surveyor has plenty to look forward to.

He said: "It has been some first year, this is my seventh fight now and it has just flown past. I am almost the most experienced boxer in my camp, to do that in one year as a professional is great for me.

"It's thanks to my promoters 'First Team' that I have been so busy, maybe I wouldn't have had that if I signed for someone else."

Male takes on Walsall's Steve Gethin in a Black Country derby with a message for his veteran opponent - 'I am coming to knock you out.'

The 30-year-old is by far his most experienced foe, having just marked his 60th fight as a pro.

But the 26-year-old has five straight wins on the board himself - although a first stoppage continues to elude him.

Now he has targeted breaking that duck against Gethin, in the same manner that Amir Khan did in three rounds back in May 2005.

'The Male Man' - a postman by day - said: "No disrespect to Steve, but this is my sixth fight now and I will be going out for that first stoppage.

"Amir Khan did a number on him, I will be looking for the same to make a name for myself.

"There are two promising lads making their debuts at featherweight on the show, I am ahead of them at the minute and I plan to stay ahead of them.

"I made my debut last September, I may not be in action before the end of my first year as a pro - so I want to finish on a good note."

To be there for fight night, contact the box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.