Tommy Langford and Wayne Reed clash on Valentine's night
Middleweight prospect Tommy Langford will take on Wayne Reed in the chief supporting fight to the Stephen Ormond v Terry Flanagan WBO European lightweight title clash at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on February 14th.
Birmingham-based Langford 11(2)-0-0, originally from Devon, will fight in the first ten rounder of his career against the former Central Area super-middleweight champion Wayne Reed 11(5)-9(5)-0.
The bout is scheduled for ten rounds at middleweight, Langford commented on his forthcoming foe, “I know he has predominantly operated at super-middleweight so with that in mind I'm expecting him to be physically quite strong.”
The 25-year-old continued, “He is a seasoned professional having mixed it with Rocky Fielding, Eamon O'Kane, Ogogo and Robin Reid to name a few so it's obviously a step up and someone I need to get past to move onto the title stage of my career.”
Yorkshire southpaw Reed collected the Central Area super-middleweight strap in July 2012 with a fifth round stoppage over Alistair Warren at the home of Sheffield Wednesday FC – Hillsborough. In his next fight he demolished Sam Couzens just 40 seconds into the opening round with a devastating body shot to collect the vacant British Masters super-middleweight title.
That incredible display of power earned him a shot at Rocky Fielding’s English super-middleweight strap (pictured above) but was deemed unable to continue after just over a minute into the sixth round by referee Marcus McDonnell. It was Rocky’s first defense of the title and although not a completely dominant display he had Reed over once in the fourth round and twice in the sixth to force the stoppage.
With almost half of Reed’s wins coming by way of knockout, the 27-year-old from Sheffield carries a lot of power as Midlands Area champ Jahmaine Smyle discovered the hard way in just round two of their 2010 super-middleweight clash, and the tricky southpaw comes into this fight off the back of a win over Dan Blackwell last November.
Langford remarked, “I've only watched a bit of footage of him and he is a southpaw which presents a new challenge as a pro although it isn't something that daunts me having sparred countless rounds with Frankie (Gavin). I am confident that, providing I perform how I know I can, I will put on an impressive performance.
“His record does show that he carries power bit it’s not something that fazes me. He’s obviously dangerous but he has to hit me first.” This will be Langford’s 12th professional contest and his first time in a scheduled ten rounder.
“The southpaw stance is something I’m very familiar with and very comfortable with in front of me. It’s pretty much second nature now. Obviously, the best punch to catch a southpaw with is the straight right and I’ve got pretty rapid one of them.”
Langford marked his first two years in the pro ranks with a shut-out points win over Gary Boulden 7-16(3)-2 in October last year remaining undefeated in 11 fights as well as continuing the impressive feat of never losing even a single round. The young middleweight is coached by respected trainer Tom Chaney at Hall Green ABC who guided top talent Frankie Gavin through a highly decorated amateur career to winning the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles. A former England international himself, Langford left the amateurs with an outstanding record of 86 wins from 106 fights, collecting many trophies and scalping Olympians Callum Smith and Anthony Fowler along the way.
Headlining the show, Irishman Ormond 17(8)-1-0 defends his WBO European title against Manchester's Flanagan 26(10)0-0 with the fight also sanctioned as an eliminator for Terence Crawford’s WBO World title on Saturday 14th February and the premier lightweights claim that there will be no love lost between them when they finally meet. Originally, the warring pair were set to lock horns in December at Hillsborough Leisure Centre but the reigning champion was forced to withdraw due to a viral infection.
Flanagan was handed a last minute stand in opponent in Danny Little 3-4(1)-1 and presented the 29-year-old from Driffield with his first ever stoppage of his two year professional career just one minute into the fifth round. Southpaw, Flanagan moved up to his 26 wins whilst notching his KO count up to double figures. The all-action showdown will headline a talent-packed card promoted by Frank Warren in association with P.J Rowson.
A total of five six-rounders supplement a trio of four-round contests on the rest of the bill, which features Tipton's Ricky Summers and Walsall's Daniel Breeze. Summers claimed International Masters light heavyweight honours in his last bout and might finally get his hands on Mitch Mitchell, of whom he has been matched with several times. Exciting Brummie lightweight Joe Costello will cast envious glances at the main event when he takes in his first six threes, after halting two out of three opponents.
Redditch's Andrew Robinson, a former stable-mate of Summers' at Lions Boxing Club in Dudley, returns from his points loss to Frank Buglioni for the WBO European super middleweight title. 'Robbo' is scheduled to go the same distance as Summers, as is Welsh super bantamweight Jay Harris.
Aptly-named super feather Romeo Romaeo, on Valentine's Night, completes the six-round set.
Welterweight Breeze is still looking for his first stoppage, but has encountered little trouble over his previous three contests and is yet to drop a round. 'The Hurricane' is again in four-round action as is Corby cruiserweight Simon Barclay, who completes the card going for the fifth victory of his time in the paid ranks.
Lastly, Brummie flyweight Raza Hamza debuts.
Tickets priced at £40, £70 and £100 are available from Team Langford on 07805 613757 or online at http://www.tommylangford.co.uk/ BoxNation will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546 and Talk Talk 525. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.
Tommy Langford would like to thank his sponsors, MAN Commercial Protection, Panel Wizards, Strategy Plus Web Design, Atlas Pain Relief, Fighting Fit City Gym, Ringside UK and PR Manager, Tim Rickson To follow Tommy Langford on Twitter click here @Tommy_Langford1