Elcock to make McDermott defence in Birmingham on April 25th by Tom Podmore Feb 14th 2008

Birmingham's British middleweight champion Wayne Elcock is to make the first defence of his Lonsdale Belt against Dudley's unbeaten Darren McDermott on Friday, April 25. Hennessy Sports, who won the purse bids yesterday (Wednesday, February 13), promote and Sky Sports will televise the biggest all-Midlands clash in recent memory live from the 3,000-seater Aston Villa Events Centre – just across the road from Villa Park – in Birmingham. And it's probably the biggest clash between two Midlanders since Birmingham's Pat Cowdell met Nottingham's Dave Needham for the British featherweight title at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in 1979 – won by the latter, although many say Cowdell was robbed blind, by a solitary point (147-146). The Birmingham vs Black Country (local rivals in life, football and boxing) clash is expected to pack out the famous venue and will see Birmingham's ‘Mad Dog' go nose-to-nose with the self-styled ‘Black Country Bodysnatcher' from Dudley. Elcock, a former WBU, WBF International and English 11st 6lbs boss, couldn't hide his excitement: "I am absolutely delighted. When Mick (Hennessy, promoter) took over my interests officially after the world title fight with Abraham he said he wanted to move into Birmingham to develop the sport. "Mick has kept his promise and going to the Aston Villa Events Centre will be like fighting in my back garden. I have been to the venue twice, won twice and both wins have been in very, very impressive fashion. "I have also fought twice at the International Convention Centre and won both times with stoppages," he said. "Obviously fighting in front of my home crowd in Birmingham is good for me." The former IBF world title challenger, who turned 34 on February 12, has seen off Leeds' Darren Rhodes (KO1) and Coventry's Steve Bendall (RSF8) at the Events Centre, and Glasgow's Lawrence Murphy (RSF5) and Clyde's Vinny Baldassara (KO6) at the International Convention Centre (ICC). The Shard End-based fighter has a 100 per cent stoppage record in the Second City, in fact, and will be aiming to keep that perfect record going against the tall, long-limbed and dangerous Dean Powell-managed puncher. "There is certain to be a huge and vociferous following from the Black Country where McDermott has tremendous support so it should make for a fantastic fight and a great atmosphere," admitted Wayne, 18-3 (8). "Although i have only been back in training for a few days, I feel good," confessed the personable Brummie. "I've had a good rest after my last fight (a five-round stoppage defeat at the hands of German-based Arthur Abraham for the IBF 160lb world title in December) and feel fresh and ready for the challenges that lie ahead. "When I got back from Switzerland I vowed that my next target would be to win the Lonsdale Belt outright, which would be a wonderful achievement and something to show the kids when they get older. "That is still my number one aim. To do that, however, I have to beat McDermott and then make another two successful defences for the belt to be mine for good. I know i can do that and make a step up again." Twenty-nine-year-old McDermott, 14-0-1 (9), added: "On paper he might be better than me, seeing as he has fought men like Howard Eastman, Scott Dann and Arthur Abraham. He has fought good men but I will prove that I could have beaten those men with a win over him in April. "At the end of the day he can say what he likes about me – that i'm not ready, not in his class, etc – but I'm going to get in there, do what I do best and rip his title away from him. "Maybe he's not showing me full respect," continued the well-supported Priory gas pipe fitter, who earned his title chance with a one-sided five-round stoppage over Darren Rhodes at Dudley Town Hall in January 2007. "I know i will get that respect from him at the end of the 12 rounds. "To fight for the British title is everything I have ever dreamed of – it's the biggest step you can make in domestic boxing and literally can't wait to step into the ring with Elcock in April. "I've won the Midland Area title outright – being awarded a special belt for successful defences – I've also won the British Masters title and this British title is everything I've ever trained for. "I've been given an opportunity and i'm not going to fluff it. I'm ready for this and i'm going to take the British title away from Birmingham and bring it back with me to the Black Country. "I never disrespect anyone," admitted the Ronnie Brown-advised punching machine," but Wayne has been stopped twice and I've never been on the floor as an amateur or professional. "It's my time to be British champion."

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Great news! Feb 15th 2008, 07:57:53 by ian edwards great news... Tom any ideas how I can get hold of tickets?