British middleweight championship rematch between Jason Welborn and Tommy Langford approved by Board
The Stewards decided to approve a request from Black Country Boxing promoter Errol Johnson for the rematch between Jason Welborn (23-6) and Tommy Langford (20-2), which will take place on a date and venue yet to be announced, although likely to be held in Walsall in September.
Challenger Welborn stunned British titlist Langford in the second-round of their May 4 meeting at the Walsall Town Hall with a short left hook, causing referee Terry O'Connor to step in and give the defending champion a standing eight-count when propped up by the ropes. Langford weathered the storm to come back and boss the following rounds, but was overwhelmed at times during the championship rounds for the underdog to snatch the victory on a split decision.
The British title fight between the two West Bromwich Albion fans was labelled 'Battle of the Baggies' and lived up to his moniker as the local rivals went to war, worthy of an early 'Fight of the Year' contender.
Langford, 28, was widely expected to win having already seen off the mandated opponent, Jack Arnfield (25-2), to his Lord Lonsdale belt in February on the undercard of the WBSS semi-final between George Groves and Chris Eubank Jr at the Manchester Arena.
Welborn, 32, had two previous cracks at the British crown before, at welterweight against Frankie Gavin and at super-welterweight versus Liam Smith – both times felled by body shots in the mid-rounds – but on his third attempt he got his tactics just right to add the Lonsdale belt to his WBC International Silver middleweight title and two Midlands Area straps.
The winner of the 'Battle of the Baggies 2' will be called upon to defend the title against unbeaten Mark Heffron (20-0) from Oldham.
Other British Championship news:
SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT
ASINIA BYFIELD v TED CHEESEMAN
Following the withdrawal from the British super-welterweight championship by former champion Liam Williams, the Board put the contest out for purse bids by 11th July with the contest to take place by the end of October 2018.
WELTERWEIGHT
GARY CORCORAN v PADDY GALLAGHER
The eliminator for Bradley Skeete's British welterweight title contest takes place between London's two-weight WBO Inter-Continental titlist Gary Corcoran (17-2) and 2010 Delhi Commonwealth gold medallist and current Celtic welterweight champion Paddy Gallagher (13-4), at the SSE Arena in Belfast on June 30, promoted by Frank Warren.
The fight will serve as the 'Hellraiser's' ring return following his failed world title challenge against Jeff Horn in Brisbane last December.
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT (Vacant)
GLENN FOOT v ROBBIE DAVIES JNR.
The Stewards decided to put out the above contest to purse bids to be submitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions attached to the Board’s Head Office by 12:00noon on Wednesday, 11th July 2018, the contest to take place by the end of October 2018.
AKEEM ENNIS BROWN v JOE HUGHES
The Stewards decided to put out the above eliminator contest to purse bids to be submitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions attached to the Board’s Head Office by 12:00noon on Wednesday, 11th July 2018, the contest to take place by the end of October 2018.
LIGHTWEIGHT
LEWIS RITSON (Holder) v PAUL HYLAND JNR.
The above contest to be promoted by Eddie Hearn, will take place on Saturday, 16th June 2018 at Newcastle Metro Arena.
FEATHERWEIGHT
RYAN WALSH (Holder) v ISAAC LOWE
The Stewards decided to put out the above contest to purse bids to be submitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions attached to the Board’s Head Office by 12:00noon on Wednesday, 11th July 2018, the contest to take place by the end of October 2018.
SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT
THOMAS PATRICK WARD (Holder) v JAMES DICKENS
The above contest to be promoted by Dennis Hobson, will take place on Friday, 27th July 2018 at Rainton Meadows.
JOE HAM v TYRONE MCCULLOUGH
The above eliminator contest to be promoted by Frank Warren, will take place on Saturday, 30th June 2018 at the SSE Arena, Belfast.
The above contest is also for the Vacant Celtic Super Bantamweight Championship.
BANTAMWEIGHT
JOSH WALE (Holder) v UKASHIR FAROOQ
A new date and venue is awaited from Promoter Stefy Bull.