Walsall’s Luke Paddock has local rival Martin Gethin firmly in his sights as he looks to pass his audition at the Town Hall this Saturday.
The super-lightweight duo seemed to be on a collision course with the pair slated to star on Black Country Boxing’s ‘Cool Hand & The Gang’ bill, sponsored by Grosvenor Casino Walsall, this weekend.
However, a pulled chest muscle means Gethin has been sidelined and will instead take up a ringside seat for the show with Paddock headlining. And, providing ‘Cool Hand’ comes through unscathed on Saturday, the Bloxwich boxer is relishing a proposed scrap with former world title contender Gethin.
“I think it would be a cracking fight,” he told uko-boxing.com. “I’d be well up for it and I’m sure Martin will be too. I want it and I think Walsall deserves it.
“It’s a shame he’s been ruled out on Saturday but he can see me in action and close quarters. I expect him to be ringside and I’ll be putting on a performance for him and all my fans.
“If it doesn’t happen then in years to come people will ask ‘why didn’t you two get it on?’ I believe it should happen. Win or lose, Walsall would be the winner.
“I’d train exceptionally hard for that because I know Martin’s a great fighter and a big name to have on my record.
“I’d train like an animal. Regardless of whether it was for a title, I want it. I think it’s a huge fight.”
Paddock’s only career defeat was a close points loss against Andy Keates last year but the 24-year-old has put that firmly behind him. A deserved victory in December put that loss to bed and, on Saturday, he plans to fully exorcise any demons.
“Everything happens for a reason,” he added. “I was going through a rough patch away from the ring but it is boxing. I’m coming back bigger and stronger.
“My mind is on boxing. Nothing else. I’m going to take this year by storm. I want a good performance on Saturday and then we’ll see what the rest of 2016 has in store.”
Tickets for Saturday’s show are priced at £30 (general admission) and £60 (VIP Ringside), and can be purchased by calling 0845 111 2900 or directly from any boxer on the bill.
The weigh-in and aftershow take place at Grosvenor Casino Walsall, Bentley Mill Way, Walsall WS2 0LE (just off junction 10 of the M6). GC Walsall will have a presence at the Town Hall on the evening and have linked up with local taxi firm, Yellow Taxi’s, to supply a number of free taxi’s to take guests from the Town Hall to the casino post-fight.
Find out more about GC Casino Walsall here: http://www.grosvenorcasinos.com/local-casinos/walsall/