Repeat or Revenge – Predictions for Jason Welborn vs Tommy Langford in the 'Battle of the Baggies 2' rematch
‘The Battle of the Baggies 2’ will get underway on the undercard of Amir Khan vs Samuel Vargas on September 8 in Birmingham.
Their first encounter was an early fight of the year contender at the Walsall Town Hall on May 4 with underdog Welborn shocking the champion Langford to steal his British middleweight title away from him via a split decision.
Now the local rivals, both avid West Brom FC fans, meet again on a far bigger stage at the Birmingham Arena, live on Sky Sports.
Will it be repeat or revenge? BBN asked their esteemed experts for their assessments:
Liam Smith Former world champion
“I favour Langford on points. To be honest, I favour him to win quite widely on points.
Tom Chaney is a good coach and he would have worked on the mistakes in that first fight and drummed it into him for however long his camp was.”
Read the full verdict from Beefy here
Miles Shinkwin British title contender
"The first fight was a shock result for a lot of people, me included.
I think that Tommy is a few levels above Welborn and with that I mean no disrespect to Jason but for whatever reasons he didn’t show that last time.
He makes the necessary adjustments this time around for a tough but clear points win."
Steve Wood Promoter
"Normally I would always go with the boxer who won the first fight but, on this occasion, I think Langford on points, have a little suspicion he took Welborn lightly in the first fight and will not make the same mistake again."
Carl GreavesPromoter
"I was ringside the first time and it was a great fight. I think Welborn will win easier this time, possibly a late stoppage. Langford looked very shaky at times last time and did very well to last the distance, I just think he struggles at the weight and Welborn will be full of confidence going into this one."
Dan MoleHead of Media at BCB Promotions
"The first fight was one of the best small hall fights and atmospheres I have ever witnessed. It deserved a television slot so I'm delighted we have secured that for the rematch.
Mentally, Jason Welborn will have the edge. He beat Tommy Langford last time out and, if the fight goes the same way, the outcome will be the same. With Langford now the challenger, will he try and get at Jason and play into his hands or will he try and keep the fight long and risk losing it on the scorecards?
Tough one but I'm always going to side with Jason Welborn. Can't wait for this one!"
Frank GreavesGary Corcoran's Trainer
"Personally, I think it's a tale of two fighters and their respective weight making.
Welborn seems to be flying at the moment and the move up to middleweight seems to have suited him well, he’s always been decent but maybe doing super-welter just took that bit away from him on the big nights. Langford has, to me, always seemed big at the weight and seeing him last time out he looked to me like a fighter struggling to get that last pound or two off, it does catch up with you after a few years and he’s had to do the championship limit eight times in the last three years, so maybe its time for a move to 168?
I'm tipping Welborn again in another good fight. Welborn points."
Robbie Davies Jr WBA Continental super-lightweight champion
"Didn't see the first fight but heard it was quiet an encounter. If Tommy sticks to his boxing I think it can be a easy night's work, he has great movement and a great engine. But can Welborn turn it into a rough toe-to-toe battle?
I am going with Langford on points."
Danny Barrett Unbeaten welterweight
"I haven't seen too much of Langford, but personally from the few fights I've seen of Welborn against Frankie Gavin and the one where he gave Matt Macklin a hard time, I think Welborn will get the win again and probably more comfortably this time."
Joseph SizaBoxing Journalist
"I, like many others, were proven wrong when it came to predicting the outcome of their first dust-up, but I still believe Langford is the more skilful fighter and is technically more sound.
As a result, I will be backing Langford to right his wrongs and defeat Welborn on points."
Grant Dennis Former Southern Area middleweight champion
"Not really sure who wins, but I’d love to fight the winner!"
Andy GatenbyRetired professional boxer
"I think Welborn is one of the most improved boxers in Britain. His win over Morrison catapulted him into contention and he’s never looked back since. Langford looked like he was being touted for a shot against Billy Joe Saunders until that brutal shot stopped him last April. I think both will know each other inside out after the last fight but I have a feeling Langford will have a different game plan this time round and win a close points victory, meaning a third fight will be touted."
Mick GordonRing announcer
"Tommy Langford by a split.
He’ll be so hellbent on getting his title back, I think he’ll just edge it."
Tim RicksonSports Agent
"As Tommy's agent, I will obviously be picking him to win.
I was sat ringside for the first fight and, although I thought Welborn performed far better than expected, I still thought Tommy had won.
I try to watch fights impartially and I had him winning every round, apart from the second, which was obviously a 10-8 round, all the way up to the championship rounds when Welborn came on strong, but I thought it was all too little too late for him. The scores of 115-113 to Langford seemed just right, in my view, but I can't see how Tommy could have only scored 113 on two of the judges' scorecards, it doesn't make sense to me.
However, no one argued and it was all taken professionally and the rematch clause was triggered immediately to set it all up again; this time on the biggest platform possible and it's only fitting that it's on Sky Sports as the first fight not being picked up by TV was such a waste, although it did receive record views on the BCB Promotions' Facebook live page.
Tommy only had a few weeks to prepare for Welborn and was coming straight in off the back of the Jack Arnfield fight, which was a high-paced full 12-rounds of action. I think this could have affected Tommy's stamina in the 'Battle of the Baggies 1' and contributed to his uncharacteristic performance.
After a long rest and a full camp, I back Tommy to defeat Welborn in this return fight in convincing fashion.
Tommy has got everything to prove in this fight and will be more focused on the game plan than ever before, so I predict a points win for Langford, possibly a late stoppage."
Anish Parekh Boxing Journalist
"The first fight back in May delivered thrills to delight the Wallsall crowd.
Welborn's relentless pressure-fighting was a problem for Langford. He is strong, tough and will carry the confidence of a champion.
Langford has the superior technique and skills but, by his own admission, underestimated Welborn in their first encounter.
If Langford can be more of a ring general and engage in disciplined bursts then he can keep his fellow Baggie at bay and he will win – albeit in a less enthralling bout than the first.
Anything less and the champion will capitalise to claim another victory."
Headliner
Amir Khan (32-4) is promising to deliver another explosive performance when he takes on Samuel Vargas (29-3-2) in the headlining fight at Arena Birmingham on September 8, live on Sky Sports.
'King' Khan is back in action following his blistering return to the ring in April in Liverpool where he destroyed Phil Lo Greco in just 39 seconds after nearly two years out of action in his second fight under experienced trainer Joe Goossen.
Undercard
Ryan Kelly defends the Midlands Area Super-Welterweight title he won in May via stoppage at Villa park against unbeaten Dordon man Kelcie Ball, Stourbridge banger Sam Eggington appears on the bill with Super-Bantamweight star Gamal Yafai, while Geordie Lightweight ace Lewis Ritson keeps busy ahead of his return to the Metro Radio Arena on October 13.
Preston Super-Welterweight Scott Fitzgerald takes on Ludlow's Craig Morris over ten, Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq faces Southampton's Ricky Little, with action elsewhere from Northampton Middleweight Keiron Conway, Bolton Super-Bantamweight Osman Aslam, Birmingham Cruiserweight Shakan Pitters and Birmingham Super-Welterweight Mussab Abubaker.