Jamie Ready to have a Ball at the Civic Hall by Tom Podmore Apr 27th 2008

Dudley debutant Jamie Ball can't wait to fulfil a lifelong dream on Wednesday night (April 30). The 24-year-old middleweight makes his professional debut against durable Bristol-based Lance Verallo over four rounds on First Team's nine-fight ‘Young Guns' bill at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall this week and big things are expected of him after an excellent and exciting unpaid spell. Ball had his hand raised in 19 of his 28 amateur contests for Priory Park ABC in Dudley – a club in the Midlands that's renowned for spawning champions – and impressed from the off. He quickly developed a repuation as a skilful and crowdpleasing fighter, one that had the requisite style and temperament to make a successful transition to the professional ranks. And the promising-looking Black Country-based prospect, who's uncle is former unbeaten pro Shaun Cooper, confesses that he can't wait to make his debut without the restrictions of a headguard and vest in a few days time: “To be honest, I'm excited at the prospect of wearing smaller gloves and no headgear,” he said. “I've had a good amateur background, winning most of my fights, and it will be a dream to lace on the gloves as a professional on Wednesday night, especially as I will be boxing so close to my home town. I've trained really hard and am positive that this will be the start of something big for me.” Busy Sedgley Park-based promoter Paul (PJ) Rowson, putting on his third professional show of the year and second inside seven days, added: “It's all set to be a great nine-fight card showcasing some of the best young talent we have from Birmingham and the Black Country. “And it will be a huge night for Jamie,” continued the enigmatic promoter. “He enters the professional ranks on the back of a wonderful and crowdpleasing amateur career under the guidance of Paul Gough at Priory Park. He will have a lot of support on the night and will be eager to impress them. “Jamie has shown promise in the gym and looks to have a decent future.” Unbeaten local Dean Harrison, 11-0 (3), tops the bill in an eight-rounder against dangerous Potteries-based puncher Gary ‘The Body Snatcher' Reid, a former Midland Area and two-time British Masters light-welterweight boss. Both used to box for Wolverhampton ABC, interestingly. Stafford prospect Rob Hunt, 8-0 (1), tackles iron-chinned Baz Carey, Coventry, and the bill also includes Tamworth's Matt Ceawright, 1-6, against Worcester's Steve Cooper, undefeated Wolverhampton pair Rob Kenney, 5-0-1, and Lyndsey Scragg, 4-0 (3), Birmingham heavyweight Neil Perkins, 1-0, Halesowen's Scott Evans, 3-0 (1), and Wolverhampton debutant Russell Colley, who boxed for England as an amateur. Tickets are available from Paul (PJ) Rowson on 07976-283157, Errol Johnson on 07852-268333 or the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on 0870-3207000.

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