BBN ask their panel of experts for their predictions on who wins the Tommy Langford v Jason Welborn British middleweight title fight this weekend
The eagerly-awaited ‘Battle of the Baggies’ takes place this Friday night at the Walsall Town Hall.
Errol Johnson’s Black Country Boxing event features two Brummies – both Baggies fans – in the headlining fight for the British middleweight championship.
Champion Tommy Langford (20-1) defends his belt for a second time against newest challenger Jason Welborn (22-6).
Tensions are already running high in this local derby and the city of Birmingham is divided in their support.
Welborn, 31, believes the Baggies should back him for living just a stone’s throw away from the Hawthorns, where West Brom play their home games.
Langford, 28, originally hails from Bideford in Devon but has family located in the Black Country and has been a season ticket holder in the Brummie Road End since the age of five.
He has written a regular column in the match day programme for the past three seasons, the Albion faithful have even renamed him the ‘Baggies Bomber’.
This will be Welborn’s third crack at the British crown in a third different weight category, having fallen short to welterweight Frankie Gavin and super-welterweight Liam Smith in previous attempts.
He comes into the fight as the WBC International Silver middleweight champion and will be more determined than ever to land a Lonsdale belt.
Difficult to call, BBN had to defer to their reliable panel of experts to pick a winner:
Miles Shinkwin Former Southern Area light-heavyweight champion
“Tommy is a good fighter, he should already be above British level.
I’ve sparred a lot of rounds with Tom so know first-hand he has a great engine, has a bit of pop in his punch and sets a great pace.
I think he’ll grind Welborn down and stop him after halfway, possibly the ref saying enough is enough or retire him on his stool.”
Jamie ArlainBritish Challenge Belt lightweight champion
"What a fight this is gonna be!
For me, Langford has good movement, great heart and has some engine on him. He will come on stronger towards the end, maybe even force a late stoppage.
My prediction is for Langford to win on points."
Dan BlackwellMiddleweight
“I think this could be a war because both fighters come forward, but I think Tommy is the slicker, better boxer out the two.
I think he will win via points or late stoppage.”
Predictions for Jason Welborn vs Tommy Langford 2
Dean Gillen British Challenge Belt super-middleweight contender
"Both boxers are quality operators, but, for me, Langford is the more talented boxer.
It's my belief that the final bell will be heard at the end of a competitive contest, as neither are massive punches, both sharing similar KO percentages of 25-30%.
Tommy will box his way to a decisive, but tough fought decision. Welborn has taken some tough fights and has been stopped earlier in his career, it seems that whenever he steps up in levels, he just falls short. We can see this as he's only lost or been stopped by the likes of Frankie Gavin and Liam Smith. He has my full respect though, as he's taken some tough fights and continues to believe in himself. Fair play, may the best man win!”
Dan Mole BCB Promotions
"It's going to be some contest!
A packed Town Hall, two of the country's top middleweights going at it for the British title – credit to Errol Johnson for getting this fight on with no television backing.
Tommy goes into the fight as favourite and the longer the fight goes, the better it will be for him. If he can keep it at range and box behind that solid jab, then the smart money is on Langford.
It's a big 'if' though as Jason will be stalking him and looking to reduce the gap and make it a toe-to-toe battle. If he does, and he applies the pressure he put on Marcus Morrison last year to win the WBC International Silver Belt, then Welborn can cause an upset.
It's his third time of challenging for a Lord Lonsdale belt and he'll be looking to make it third time lucky."
Tim Rickson Sports Agent
“You could easily look at Welborn’s record and dismiss his chances in this fight. It’s his third crack at the British title in a third different division, however, his win over highly-touted Marcus Morrison shows just what he’s capable of.
He will be a more determined and confident fighter against Langford than he was against Frankie Gavin and Liam Smith, as he knows this could be his last chance at landing a Lonsdale belt.
Tommy is the better boxer, more skilled and technical than Welborn, and he’s already seen off the No.1 mandatory challenger to his title, so you would expect him to be able to handle a contender ranked 10 places lower.
Welborn will press Langford and try to limit the distance between them, so Tommy will have to box to a strict game plan to overcome what will be a determined, busy and bullish opponent.
He showed discipline and maturity in his first title defence, so I expect Tommy to do the same in this fight – to keep it long, box clever and set a high pace to eventually wear Welborn down and maybe even force a stoppage shortly past the midway point.”
Joseph Siza BBN Writer
"Tommy Langford picked up a good win last time out against Jack Arnfield and has some momentum going for him after last year's shattering loss to Khurtsidze.
Welborn is a game fighter who put up a good account of himself against Matthew Macklin a few years ago and upset Marcus Morrison very recently.
This is by no means an easy fight for Langord, but I just feel he is too rangey and too skilled for Welborn, and will outpoint him."