Boxing’s much-anticipated return to Middlesbrough would not be the same if it did not have Boro talent on it.
Thankfully, the debut North-East event of London promoter Mark ‘Mo’ Prior features two big Boro figures on Saturday, November 4.
Michael Webster is already well into his stride as a pro, boasting an 8-0 record, while Will Howe is just under way with two bouts in the last four months.
‘Webba’, who fought as an amateur at South Bank ABC, has a tricky assignment over six rounds against Nick Campbell.
Like Michael, Campbell rarely hears the last bell – five of his six wins have been early while his sole defeat was to ‘Drago’, stopped in Bournemouth by Steve ‘USSR’ Robinson.
A mention of ‘Drago’ brings us to the man who slayed him in Rocky 4, Balboa.
In this case the heavyweight in question is the ‘Boro Balboa’
Howe, who turned professional under Peter Fury, has left the Cheshire gym to return home and box out of the brilliant Billingham Boxing Academy gym.
Will, an accomplished amateur who won European Junior bronze while with Natural Progression Boxing Academy in Stockton, won on points on his first fight for the BBA team last month in Houghton.
Howe (pictured) will face a test against the highly-experienced and durable Swindon heavyweight who will be taking part in his 58th contest this weekend.
Two BBA comrades are alongside him on the bill – Trimdon stars Jim Tyers and Tom Summerbell, with Tyers headlining the promotion against Middleton southpaw Darryl Sharp.
Jim will start as overwhelming favourite, as will Tom, but he can’t afford any complacency against Arrowsmith, another of boxing’s band of journeymen.
After 27 straight defeats the boxer town as ‘The Choirboy’ won last the weekend, so Tom must be on his guard.
It will be contest number four for Summerbell, who impressed last time out against Estonia’s Dmitri Protkunas, winning 40-36 on the big televised show in Newcastle in July.
In action for the fifth time in the paid ranks, Kai Richmond could well be involved in the fight of the night when he is matched with Conner Lee Doherty.
Richmond, from Spennymoor, has won all four of his pro bouts, two inside the distance, but may have his hands full with Doherty.
The Leeds boxer slugged it out for six rounds with Thomas Hodgson at Rainton Meadows and while outgunned 59-53 he never stopped punching.
Durham boxer Aaron Peet got off the mark as a pro on the Houghton event, when he outpointed Josh Cook and he should double his W tally at Eston against add add add.
Another Co Durham boxer is in action as Consett’s undefeated Kerry Haley faces a tough customer Vaida Masiokaite, the Lithuanian who has twice lost to Jordan Barker Porter and has also gone the distance with Caroline Dubois, Natasha Jonas and Karriss Artingstall.
There are two former Dunston ABC stars taking to the ring for the first time as professionals under the the Westgarth-Prior umbrella.
Josh Blenkiron tackles Manchester’s Liam Fox, who was up at Rainton the other week to box Callum Fenwick.
Blenkiron enjoyed a very good amateur career, winning 36 of his 74 bouts, including a gold medal at the William Wallace Box Cup as well as a runners-up place at another edition of that competition as well silver medals at the Angel of the North and Hull Box Cups.
He will remain in the Dunston ABC gym, where he will be trained by Martin Mulholland.
Sophie Rogers has Polish opposition for her four-rounder against Agelika Oles.
Rogers had a 50 per cent record from her amateur career, including a couple of Tyne, Tees & Wear titles along the way, and will now be based out of Ryton.
Completing the line-up is a good mate of Anthony Joshua as Halifax-based Londoner Jabran Bilal who faces George Rogers, from Leicestershire.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
