Jason Welborn promises: “This is the end of Tommy Langford”
Ahead of their eagerly-anticipated rematch on September 8 at the Birmingham Arena, defending British middleweight champion Jason Welborn (23-6) has vowed to end rival Tommy Langford’s (20-2) career.
The local enemies from Birmingham reverse roles as Welborn enters the ring as the defending champion and Langford emerges as the challenger to his former crown.
In their first meeting at the Walsall Town Hall on May 4, underdog Welborn shocked the champion to win the Lord Lonsdale belt on his third try after two failed attempts at welterweight against Frankie Gavin and super-welterweight against Liam Smith.
In the final press conference before fight night, Welborn asserted his ambitions to terminate his opponent’s boxing career for good.
Jason Welborn – Tividale, England – 23-6, 7 KO's – first defence of his British Middleweight title against Tommy Langford:
“I’m confident at the end of the day. I won the British title and I know that I can beat Tommy Langford again. I’ve trained even harder for this rematch. If I do what I did last time, then I know that I’ll win. He’s got an excuse, he said that he didn’t prepare properly last time and he looked past me. He’s gone back to the drawing board, our side hasn’t. We’ve just got to turn up, get that win and do what I normally do.
“This is a brilliant bill here in Birmingham and it’s going to bring the best out of me. I’m ready to go 12 rounds at a solid pace, I’ve put my body through hell. He’s had his time, this is my time now. This is the end of Tommy Langford, I’m telling you straight.
“Langford will be desperate to even things up and get the belt back. He will be hungry so I can’t switch off and I know exactly what I have to do to keep my belt.
“That said, I’m really confident. Langford struggles with fighters like myself and as long as my engine is as good as last time – and it will be – I can’t see anything other than another Welborn win."
Tommy Langford – Birmingham, England – 20-2, 6 KO's – challenging Jason Welborn for the British Middleweight title:
“It’s brilliant to have such a huge event back in Birmingham. It’s a great boxing city. It’s a chance for me to show what I’ve got. There’s huge exposure for all of the lads on the card and it’s going to be absolutely rammed out in the arena so I’m really looking forward to it.
“I made a lot of mistakes last time, I’ve been very open about that. I held my hands up, I completely overlooked Jason. I haven’t done that this time, I’ve given the respect and the training camp that he’s due. I’m looking forward to putting on a very good performance on Saturday.”
Welborn's clash with Langford is part of a huge night of action in the second city, topped by Amir Khan's Welterweight showdown with Samuel Vargas.
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 as he works towards a domestic showdown with Anthony Fowler, Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq faces Liverpool's Gary Austin, with action elsewhere from Northampton Middleweight Keiron Conway, Belfast Lightweight Sean McComb, Bolton Super-Bantamweight Osman Aslam, Birmingham Cruiserweight Shakan Pitters and Super-Welterweight Steven Donnelly.