Title Fight Tops Bill

Wiltshire boxer Nick Blackwell defends his English middleweight belt at M.E.C.A - 05 MARCH

 

For the first time since professional boxing was staged in the town 81 years ago, a Wiltshire boxer will be involved in a major title fight in Swindon.

 

Unbeaten Trowbridge fighter Nick Blackwell defends his English middleweight belt for the first time against Derbyshire’s Matt Hainy in the ten-round main event.

 

Blackwell captured the vacant title with a comprehensive points win over Harry Matthews at Bath last November. And his success made him the youngest ever holder of such a title – he became champion less than a month after celebrating his 20th birthday.

 

That success gives him an eventual shot at the British title, but the current rules do not allow boxers under 21 years of age to compete over 12 rounds – the distance for British, European and World titles.

 

Time is on the side of the Trowbridge man and he is showing the same attention to detail in his preparation for this next encounter as he looks to extend his unbeaten run to eight outings since trading in his vest.

 

Hainy, 29, with nine previous professional contests, captured the Midlands Area middleweight belt in his last fight – a clear ten-round points success over Tony Randell in Derby last October. This is fourth title fight promoted by Keith Mayo.

 

Two Masters belts have been staged by the Devon-born businessman in his native Torquay and he also hosted Nathan Cleverly’s second successful defence of his Commonwealth light heavyweight title against Kenya’s Samson Onyango at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon almost two years ago.

 

“To stage a title fight at a new venue just puts the icing on the cake," commented says Mayo.

 

“We have checked through the records and this appears to be the first time a Wiltshire boxer has defended his title in his own county.

 

“The undercard – currently being put together – also has some exciting and emerging talent from the area involved in what should be more mouth-watering encounters."

 

Tickets for the March 5th MECA bill start at £30 with a VIP package also available.

 

Contact Keith Mayo on 07789 890453, any of the boxers.