Pro boxing is back in West Midlands

Professional boxing will return to the West Midlands next Friday with a special show arranged in Birmingham for Glenn McCrory's cruiserweight prodigy Akaash Hussain.

Hussain, who has family in Birmingham, will make his professional debut at cruiserweight on the bill under the watchful eye of the former IBF world champion, who is acting as his mentor.

The teenage former amateur star from Newcastle will form part of a six-fight bill at the Tower Ballrooms that also includes Aston's Chris Truman and West Bromwich's Wayne Downing.

Truman is dying to get back into action after sitting out the super featherweight Prizefighter as a reserve, then pulling out of a fight at Birmingham's Holiday Inn on fight night with the flu.

Downing, after coming out of retirement, is looking to arrest a three-fight losing streak but will enjoy home advantage for the first since putting the gloves back on.

And the 31-year-old arrested a similar barren run after turning pro in 2006, going on went on to win his next three fights.

Former British and Commonwealth flyweight title challenger Usman Ahmed will also be in action, looking to get back into the sort of form that made the Derby flier a contender for the top titles.

Another fighter from Derby, light middleweight Duane Parker, is on the verge of a shot at the Midlands title but must keep racking up the wins until the match is made, having gone 11-0.

Parker will now look to get to number 12 in the West Midlands at the Ballrooms.

The card is rounded off by Coventry's Rhys Davies, who will be looking to show he has the same star qualities as his twin brother.

Sibling Llewellyn will be a part of the light heavyweight Prizefighter at the end of the month and Rhys, who also boxes in the division, is looking to make a similar impact.

For tickets, call promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.