Midlands boxer Tommy Langford 12-0 will challenge for his first professional title in his 13th fight on American Independence Day in Dublin against highly ranked German contender, Ronny Mittag 23-1-1.
The title fight will take place on the undercard of Jamie Conlan’s second WBO European super-flyweight title defence at The National Stadium in Ireland’s capital city on July 4th.
“My weight’s brilliant, been trying some different diets from Kerry Kayes from CNP, I’m eating more food and losing weight so I’m feeling really strong,” said the 25-year-old of his preparations.
“I’ve been getting great sparring with Callum Smith in Gallaghers Gym in Bolton. He’s fighting Rebrasse for the WBC Silver super-middleweight title so can’t get better than that.
“It’s been working really well for both of us and we’re really learning, I’ve been doing eight and ten rounds with him and he’s up there on the verge of a world title shot so it’ll put me in good stead for fight night.”
His 26-year-old German opposition has only lost once very early on in his career in just his fourth outing in 2007. The only other blemish on his impressive record is a stalemate against Armand Cullhaj in December 2011, both challengers missing out on the WBO Youth middleweight title.
Almost exactly one year on from his only draw, he collected his first ever title in the IBO International middleweight strap in November 2012 and just over another year on from that achievement in December 2013, he added the IBF East/West Europe middleweight belt to his name.
“I’ve found a couple of things on YouTube but from a long time ago so it’s not going to be completely accurate,” said the Frank Warren fighter of his forthcoming foe. “He looks like he’s a good stand up boxer, good on the back foot so it’ll be a good fight.”
The 25-year-old Brummie, originally from North Devon, has not only remained unbeaten in all 12 pro contests to date, the slick operator has yet to concede even a single round.
He continued, “He’s won a few belts before and I’ve looked at the level of opposition that he’s had and he’s got the wins so can’t take that away from him but it’s a bit of a padded record, his level of opposition hasn’t been better than mine.”
Langford reaches his 26th birthday one week after fight night and will be looking to be make it a double celebration.
The six-foot tall Devon-born puncher impressed last time out when he provided chief support to the controversial Ormond v Flanagan WBO European lightweight title event at a raucous Wolves Civic venue by dismantling a game Wayne Reed inside five rounds on Valentine’s Night to safely secure his title shot.
The last three fights on the Bideford boxer’s record are made up from the aforementioned fifth round stoppage of Wayne Reed in February, a shut-out points victory over the slick Gary Boulden in October last year, and a second round stoppage over Sussex southpaw Nicky Jenman three months earlier in August, all at the familiar site of the Wolves Civic.
A former England captain, Langford enjoyed a glittering amateur career collecting 86 wins from 106 fights and is most noted for his victories over Commonwealth Games heroes, Callum Smith and Anthony Fowler, who hold a silver and gold medal respectively.
The Tom Chaney trained talent counts England’s first ever World Amateur champion, Frankie Gavin as a stablemate and trains out of the Hall Green Boxing Club in Birmingham.
Langford’s maiden title test tops a star-studded cast with unbeaten prospect Jamie Conlan headlining the ‘New Beginning’ show promoted by Frank Warren featuring some of the best up-and-coming Irish talent including Belfast’s hot-shot bantamweight Ryan Burnett in his tenth pro outing, Dublin prospects Anthony Fitzgerald, Declan Geraghty, Brendan Fitzpatrick, and son of super-middleweight legend, Steve Collins Jr.
Belfast ace Conlan, known as the ‘The Mexican’ for his all-action style, returns to Dublin for the first time in over five years when he destroyed Itsko Veselinov in five rounds in his second pro fight and is regarded by many as one of the most exciting boxers coming through at the moment by thrilling fight fans and the media with his hard-hitting performances.
The 28-year-old seized the WBO European title in April last year, stopping Benjamin Smoes inside seven exhilarating rounds. He followed that up with a quick first defence against Gabor Molnar in June, halting the Hungarian in the third round demonstrating the firepower he carries in both hands.
In the 5ft 7” prospect’s last fight in September, he successfully dealt with his first Mexican test against Jose Estrella to outbox the tough veteran over ten rounds to capture the WBO Intercontinental title and elevate himself inside the top ten of the WBO World rankings.
Patrick Hyland and Ciaran McVarnock will also see action and another Birmingham prospect, unbeaten lightweight Michael Rooney, completes the card as he continues his development in a four-round contest.
Tickets are on sale from Wednesday 20th May priced at €25, €40, €60, €100 & €150 and will be available from Ticketmaster on 0818 719 300 or online at www.ticketmaster.ie
Viewers can watch the show live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky channel 437/HD 490, Virgin channel 546 and TalkTalk channel 525).
Ben Wilkes admits he has got the boxing bug back as he prepares for his second fight of 2015.
The Wolverhampton middleweight returned from a five year ring absence in April and impressed as he recorded a shut-out points victory over James Child.
Wilkes is back in action next month as he appear on Black Country Boxing’s ‘Independence Day’ at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday, 4th July.
Deep into camp, Wilkes admits he’s back in love with the sport.
“I felt really good on fight night,” he told www.uko-boxing.com. “I enjoyed being back amongst the lads as a fightera dn not as a trainer. It was a different buzz and I felt really good once the first bell went.
“I was pleased with how I did. I thought I threw a good variety of shots and had a good work rate. I was really nervous to be honest but felt on the night it all come together. I’m back in love with boxing and ready to go again next month.
Training is going well; my weight is good and I’m starting to put the last bits together. I’m really looking forward to coming back to Walsall Town Hall as it’s only down the road. It’s a good venue and my fans enjoy it. Roll on 4th July!
Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 Ringside, are available from Walsall Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900.
Stourbridge’s former Midlands Area Welterweight Champion, Steven Pearce, is also in action alongside Walsall duo light welterweight Luke Paddock and middleweight Dan Breeze.
Ludlow light middleweight, Craig Morris, Redditch super middleweight, Carl Dickens, also feature alongside debutants (Dudley Heavyweight) Martin Gordon and (West Bromwich super featherweight) Jack Summers.
Dudley lightweight, Les Byfield, completes the line up.
To coincide with American Independence Day, a range of USA inspired food and drink will be available throughout.