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Walsall boxer Martin Gethin will fight to retain his British lightweight title when he takes on former champion Derry Mathews at the Liverpool Olympia tonight.

The 30-year-old challenger told the Liverpool Echo that defeat tonight would result in his retirement; but Walsall’s Quiet Man, Martin Gethin, is equally keen to retain it.

“Winning the British title was the greatest night of my boxing career, he told the Express and Star. For me, it’s one of the best belts in world boxing. I have no plans on giving it up.”

Gethin is no stranger to fans of Walsall Football Club, having made numerous half-time on-pitch appearances in recent years. I’m backing #TeamGethin tonight and I’m looking forward to welcoming the Saddlers’ fanatic back onto the pitch early next season so we can join with him in celebrating his success.

Walsall is becoming something of a boxing town and it’s good to see recent bouts at the Town Hall attracting national television coverage.

The next fight-night is next Friday – 16th May – when the Midlands light-middleweight champion Jason Welborn, from Rowley Regis; and Bloxwich’s Luke Paddock take on opposition from Romania – with Welborn facing Stanislav Nenkov; and Paddock seeking to add victory over Kristian Dochev to extend his unbeaten run to seven.

Welborn and Paddock took time out of their preparations last month to join me on the Banks’s Stadium pitch at half time during the Gillingham game, were they presented cheques, on behalf of Walsall FC, to two local boxing clubs: Amphion ABC, based in Darlaston; and Pleck ABC, based in, well – Pleck, actually! The money was part of the distributions from this year’s Community Shield match between Man Utd and Wigan Athletic.

Good luck and best wishes tonight to Martin Gethin; and next week to Jason Welborn and Luke Paddock.

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