Day of reckoning for Jamie Ball

Coseley light middleweight Jamie Ball believes his day of reckoning could soon be at hand as the unbeaten southpaw prepares to step it up next month.

'The Black Country Bully' will take on Lester Walsh at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on June 6 in his second straight six-rounder, working up to eight rounds on the next show in September and possibly a title fight in December.

But the 25-year-old's preparations have again been hindered, this time by coming back ahead of schedule from surgery after tearing his left knee cartilage in two places.

His cornerman Shaun Cooper was on the verge of pulling him out of the fight last week but, after meeting with his consultant, Ball was assured that his injury would only get better as the muscles have already been repaired.

And the brave competitor is ready to train through the pain so his title dream can remain on schedule, even in the knowledge there is no room for error on the road ahead.

He said: "I want the better fights from now on, it's time to step up it time after time and this is a move in the right direction. These next few months are crucial for my development and I have got to take the chances that come along.

"With a good performance here I could be right in the mix, but this is a tough one so I have been training hard for it.

"This is a different style of boxer for me to take on, he's going to come forward where as some opponents have sat back and let me come onto them.

"If I want to be talking about titles at the end of the year, there can be no slip ups."

For tickets, call the box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.

The 10-fight show will also be broadcast online live on pay-per view at a cost of just £2.99, through Hatton TV at www.hattonboxing.tv.