Maxwell ready for Black Country brawl by Tom Podmore Feb 24th 2008

Chelmsley Wood-based puncher Max Maxwell has vowed to win the Birmingham/Black Country derby on Thursday night (February 28) and take the vacant Midland Area middleweight belt back to where he feels it belongs – the Second City. Maxwell meets Walsall's Matty Hough, 7-2-1 (1), for the Area title, a belt that was relinquished by Dudley's Darren McDermott (who ripped it away from Andy Halder, a former British title challenger, in 2005) last month, on First Team's sure-to-be sell-out eight-fight bill at Wolverhampton Civic Hall. Fierce local pride is also at stake between a city that invented the world famous balti, amongst other things, and the industrial Black Country, an area that got its name because of the black coal that scarred the surface of places like Dudley, Tipton, Bilston and Blackheath. But going into his opponent's back yard holds little fear for Maxwell, who forged a successful amateur career in the Navy before turning pro at this venue in 2006. The 28-year-old will, however, be hoping for better luck on his second professional visit to the Civic. Max lost a wild and untidy four-round decision to Crawley middleweight Anthony Young by a single point (39-38) on his pro bow 16 months ago despite rattling the Crawley man throughout. But he has gone unbeaten since and admits to having some unfinished business at the city centre venue. “I lost on my debut in Wolverhampton but can assure you that I won't lose on my next visit,” said the softly-spoken Richie Woodhall-trained middleweight after his stoppage win last month. “I was disappointing on that night – too eager to impress – but still thought I won and have improved since then. “Hough was at my last contest and knows what I am capable of doing when I'm hungry and the opponent comes to fight. He would have seen that I have power when I put my punches together – and that would have made him stand up and take notice. “I know he has been saying big things [on BBN and in the local press] but I refuse to be dragged into a war of words with him. I much prefer to do my talking in the ring. He will realise that on Thursday.” The pair did indulge in a fiery head-to-head (they also exchanged a few curt words) after the Brummie's last fight, a two-round stoppage over Bolton's Johnny Enigma at the Holiday Inn last month. Richie Woodhall, in fact, had to step in and separate them after a nose-to-nose staredown got a little too heated. And Pugilist Promotions-promoted Maxwell will also be bidding to be the first Birmingham boxer to hold the Area 11st 6lbs crown since Darren Sweeney wore the brown belt in 1998, which included a successful defence over a man who would eventually win the strap at light-heavy, Michael Monaghan. “Although it would be nice to be the first man from Birmingham to hold the middleweight title in ten years, winning is the only thought that is on my mind at the moment,” he said. ”But I can celebrate little things like that after the job has been done. “I've had excellent preparation at the gym and am really confident,” added the tall, confident, long-limbed stylist, 6-1 (1).” I expect to be returning home with the belt strapped around my waist by the end of the night.” Fresh from an impressive stoppage win over durable Ramon Guevera in Las Vegas before Christmas, Wolverhampton's Dean Harrison, 10-0 (2), takes on another international foe, Ghana's Alex Brew, 9-2-1 (7), in the eight-round (the Black Country prospect's first time at that distance, incidentally) chief support. Unbeaten Wolverhampton pair Rob Kenney, 4-0-1 (0), and Lyndsey Scragg, 3-0 (2), see action over six-twos and the bill also includes Stafford's Rob Hunt, 7-0 (1), Halesowen's Scott Evans, 2-0 (1), and Birmingham heavyweight Neil Perkins, debut. Brierley Hill's Martin Gordon, 0-4-1, goes in against Tamworth's Matt Ceawright, 0-5, in a four-round battle that should see one of the Midlanders finally get in the win column. 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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