Ryan Aston could gamble on debut

Dudley's Ryan Aston could gamble with his chance of appearing on the undercard of David Haye's multi-world title fight by making his pro debut a week earlier.

Aston was confirmed as a competitor this week on the same bill as Haye's heavyweight showdown with Wladimir Klitschko, in Germany on July 2.

But Aston, his trainer Paul Gough and promoters Hayemaker - who signed him to a three-year deal last month - are actually considering giving him his pro bow on the Sky Sports bill in Sheffield the week before.

It's a Matchroom show but trainer Dave Coldwell, himself a promoter, acts as a go-between whenever the two companies decide to join forces.

And that could mean the debut of Aston as a supporting act to hometown fighter Kell Brook, who boxes under the Matchroom banner for the first time in the main event against Lovemore N'Dou.

What's holding up deciding the undercard is Brook being inexplicably stripped of his WBO Inter-Continental welterweight title without being told, after leaving manager Frank Warren.

It will now be contested between West Midlands rivals Frankie Gavin and Young Mutley on Saturday night at London's 02 Arena.

Matchroom are now scrabbling around looking for a title Brook can fight for and, until that is resolved, sorting out the rest of the bill will wait.

Aston has been told to be ready to fight but he must be careful - any sort of defeat or even an accidental cut from a clash of heads and his dream bout on the Haye show will be off.

Mandatory British Boxing Board of Control rules state that a fighter cannot compete for 28 days if he cut in a fight or loses by stoppage.

But the 20-year-old is used to the pressures of fighting in rapid succession from his amateur career, where he won our national titles, three gold and two silver medals boxing for England and three gold and one silver medal fighting for Team GB.

He said: "I will be trying to avoid that at all costs, I have got the skills to and it doesn't change my game, just enhances it.

"It's another big show to be a part of and I can't wait for it, but to then box in front of 22,500 people in Germany is going to be immense."

The former Priory Park amateur has spent the past four weeks as a fixture training at the Hayemaker gym in central London, under the same roof as Haye himself.

The WBA world heavyweight champion has only heard good things about the new-boy, according to Aston.

He said: "I have spoken to David a few times since I have been there and he's heard good things about me, which is a huge boost for myself.

"The whole aspect of it all has been good and to be in the picture with these people is amazing, it's a privilege."

Aston has cut his teeth in London as the chief sparring partner for George Groves, who faces a huge grudge match against James DeGale on the big bill at the O2.

It's Commonwealth against British champion with both belts on the line, as the top two super middleweights in the country lock horns.

DeGale is the favourite but Groves beat him in the amateurs and will do so again next Saturday night, Aston believes.

He said: "George is going to do great things and I think he can beat DeGale, but it all comes down to who performs on the night.

"It will be a really good fight to see but George could stop DeGale in five to seven rounds, something like that."