Ball inspired by Dudley's finest by Tom Podmore Jul 21st 2008

Dudley's Jamie Ball goes into his second professional contest this week with ambitions of replicating the feats of the town's most famous fighting son. The popular portsider, a highly-rated amateur, made a successful arrival in the paid ranks with a four-round shut-out win over Rotherham switcher Paul Royston on a Sky-televised card at Wolverhampton Civic Hall last month, selling over 300 tickets for his long-awaited professional bow. He returns to that venue on First Team's (Paul (PJ) Rowson and Errol Johnson) card on Thursday night (July 24) and takes on a scrapper who's also conquered Royston, Pontefract's Peter Dunn. While experienced Dunn may not have his hand raised too often, the 33-year-old centurion winning only one of his previous 53 outings (one draw), he is tough, crafty, battle-hardened and will give the former Priory Park ABC unpaid performer, who won 19 of 28 in the vest and headguard, another valuable insight into the ins and outs of the pro game. Ambitious Jamie eventually wants to reach the level of another former Priory amateur champion, Dudley's recent British title challenger and former Midland Area middleweight champion Darren McDermott, but realises getting wins and rounds under his belt at this stage are far more important than lofty future goals. And the Coseley, an area that spawned former British middleweight title challenger Andy Flute, light-middleweight said: “Darren is in an inspiration for all young fighters in the Black Country, especially in Dudley. He was really unlucky to be ruled out of his British title fight with a cut and looked to be on top before the doctor stopped it. “I'd like to think I'll be at that level someday,” said the nephew of former undefeated light-welterweight Shaun Cooper, who packed the game in after 16 consecutive wins. “I'll have to keep winning the early fights and putting in good showings before I can even start thinking about things like that, but know that I'm capable of realising my dreams if put the work in when I'm at the gym. “I think my performance last month showed that I have the potential to go places in this side of the sport,” continued the Paul Gough-trained 24-year-old, who forced Dave Coldwell-handled Royston to take evasive action throughout the four-twos, sending the durable South Yorkshireman on his heels with straight southpaw lefts and an accurate backhand. And what of Dunn, taking part in professional contest 114 (his 34th in the Midlands) on Thursday evening? “I was supposed to fight him on my debut,” he said,” but it changed at the last minute. Royston came in and used the ring more than Dunn, who prefers to move backwards and forwards. It was just a case of adapting to the situation that was placed in front of me. “I'm expecting a decent little test but know I have the beating of him. I'm confident in my own ability and ready for whatever he brings. “He has never won at the Civic Hall and I have no intention of letting him break that duck on Thursday night.” Former British welterweight champion Young Mutley, 24-3 (13), continues on the road back to his old belt in the main event. The popular West Bromwich-based puncher, 32, tackles durable Latvian Sergejs Savrinovics over eight rounds and is then pencilled in for a British title eliminator against Shepherd's Bush southpaw John O'Donnell before the end of the year. Other men on the First Team bill include former ABA light-flyweight champion James Mulhern, Coventry, who boxes David Keogan, and unbeaten Stourbridge light-welterweight Scott Evans, 4-0 (2), who goes in against 292-fight Pete Buckley. Birmingham heavyweight Neil Perkins, 2-0, boxes Preston's Howard ‘Demolition' Daley and Stourbridge light-welter Kevin McCauley, 0-1, meets Tamworth's Matt Seawright. Brierley Hill's Martin Gordon, a former top-rated amateur who hasn't brought that form over with him to the paid ranks, looks to get his first win in his seventh fight (one draw), taking on Leeds' winless Chris Thompson. Returning Joe Skeldon, 1-2, the son of former British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight title challenger Roy, sees action for the first time since a six-round loss to Clive Johnson nine years ago. The 36-year-old Tipton crowdpleaser will make his comeback against Barnsley's Jason Smith. 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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