Bloxwich fighter aiming for maiden title defence...
Midlands light welterweight champion, Luke Paddock, will make his maiden title defence against Andy Keates at the Banks’s Stadium.The Stadium suite is set to host “Home Turf” on September 4th and Paddock is eager to put on a show in front of a home crowd.
“It’s quality, I don’t know how else I can describe it,” he smiled. “It’s my hometown of course but also my home town football club so I’m really looking forward to this one.
“This is definitely one for the fans. As much as it’s me fighting I want this one to be for them. I just hope they come along and enjoy themselves.
‘Cool Hand’ produced a four round shutout over Liam Richards at the Walsall Town Hall back in July and is looking to build on that performance when facing a familiar foe in Andy Keates.
“It’s just what I needed,” he added. “Just to keep active if nothing else.
“It’s not four rounds that I’m after, I want championship rounds but it was nice to tick over in front of my home fans again at Walsall Town Hall.
“A win over someone like Liam Richards, who’s national level and has boxed for an English title, is a nice one to add to my card.
“Andy and I are familiar with each other from our amateur days and I’m expecting another good fight but this time as professionals."
The 12-0 Bloxwich fighter will be hoping to successfully defend his Midlands Welterweight Title for the first time at the Banks’s but it’s Keates (9-2-0) who holds the upper hand from their contests in the vest.
The Staffordshire fighter commented on Paddock’s inability to “box off the back foot” and “under pressure” after watching his opponent’s last victory from ringside.
But the champion was keen to steer clear of a war of words.
“If anything I’m the total opposite,” he argued. “But whatever he wants to say, let him carry on. “I’ll do the business on the night and do my talking in the ring.”
Paddock’s stable mate Manny Zaber is also on the undercard, as he goes in search of his second win as a professional.
Zaber enjoyed a point’s victory over Qasim Hussein in his professional debut back in April and will feature on an action packed undercard at the home of Walsall FC.