Dogged Munroe beats hounds

Not even a pack of blood-thirsty dogs can stop Rendall Munroe.

The stylish Leicester southpaw, 21-1 (9), challenges for the WBC super-bantamweight title against hammer-fisted Toshiaki Nishioka, also a right-leading fighter, in Tokyo next month and recently spent a week training in Portugal.

But 30-year-old Munroe had to contend with more than the thin air and mountainous terrain.

On one four-mile mountain run the former English, Commonwealth and European champion found himself being pursued by a local group of hounds.

But instead of deviating off track, Munroe - who is famous for being in possession of a great engine - stepped up the pace and left the pack trailing in his wake.

Promoter Frank Maloney, who joined the Midlands camp of Munroe and trainers Jason and Mike Shinfield for the week, said: "Nothing fazes him.

"Rendall didn't even show a hint of emotion on his face and kept running and running even though they were jumping all over the place behind him.

"It says a lot about him, because he finished the four miles almost a minute quicker than anyone else previously.

"I have never been involved with a fighter so single-minded," continued the London-based promoter," and he is unfazed by what awaits him [in Japan on October 24].

"Nishioka might have a good record [36 wins, four losses and three draws] and hit hard [23 inside-the-distance victories] but will never have met someone as talented as my man.

"Travelling to the other side of the world, to his opponent's back garden, won't effect his performance in the slightest."

Two out of three for Birmingham boxers at the LG

Going into their respective title fights on home territory on Saturday evening (September 18), Matthew Macklin, Frankie Gavin and Don Broadhurst were all expected to end the night as champions.

However, at the Second City's LG Arena, only two of the Brummies had a new title strapped around their waists.

That's because the third, 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Don Broadhurst, was upset over ten rounds by erratic if capable ex-Olympian Najah Ali, Canning Town-based but Iraq-born, for the vacant International Masters bantamweight belt.

Richie Davies marked Ali, 30, a 97-95 victor.

Although i had the close ten-rounder all-square at 95 apiece there were no complaints from me after a closely-fought battle between two skilled if light-punching stylists.

While the belt holds no real significance or prestige on the domestic scene Broadhurst was looking to return to the win column after surrendering his Commonwealth super-flyweight title in a messy unification fight with Naz-like Lee Haskins, the British champion, last December.

The 26-year-old Erdington stylist, now 11-2 (3), hadn't boxed since then. It showed.

And though Ali's pro ledger is patchy at 3-2 (1), it belies his talents.

His defeats have come against big-punching Michael Walsh (two-round stoppage against a man who's won all of his fights quickly) and a one-point defeat (58-57) to the current British flyweight king, Oldham southpaw Shinny Bayaar.

Though Broadhurst, a die-hard Aston Villa fan, was down about the loss he's vowed to return a better fighter and live up to the promise he showed after winning his first 11 professional contests.

There was, however, better news for the other fighting Brummies on Frank Warren's ambitious and well-received 'Magnificent Seven' card.

Originally, Birmingham City-supporting Matthew Macklin, 28, was due to meet Darren Barker in a excellent-looking all-British fight for Barker's British and EBU crowns.

However, the Barnet boxer's hip injury two weeks before the 12-rounder forced him out and the Solihull-based puncher regained the European middleweight title he never lost in the ring with a six-round stoppage win over iron-jawed and tight Shalva Jomardashvili.

The hard-as-nails Georgian, who entered with an impressive-looking 27-2-1 pro tab, was retired by his corner at the end of the sixth session.

Freddie Roach-trained Macklin, who had former trainer Joe Gallagher working his corner, had been in control throughout but lacked the sharpness that has made many talk of him as a future holder of a recognised world champion.

Now 27-2 (19) the hard-hitting Brummie called out IBF champion Sebastian Sylvester afterwards and hopes that can also take place in his home city.

Most impressive fighter on show from the Second City, Hall Green's former World Amateur champion Frankie Gavin, won his first professional title , the vacant Irish 10st belt, with a five-round stoppage victory over tough Dundalk scrapper Michael Kelly, eight wins in ten (one draw) entering.

Gavin, 8-0 (7), dominated the ten-rounder, cut the Irishman, and forced referee Emile Tiedt to call a halt to proceedings with a second left of the fifth.

Though the stoppage may have come a tad prematurely, there was never any doubt that smooth-boxing Gavin, who was accused of being a non-puncher prior to turning over, was on his way to a resounding win.

The 24-year-old Birmingham City supporter now looks ready to take on the best Britain has to offer.

Running order for 'Magnificent Seven' in Birmingham

Frank Warren has released the runnning order for the huge 'Magnificent Seven' card taking place at the LG Arena, Birmingham, on Saturday (September 18) - which is also being broadcast live on Sky Box Office from 18.00.

Fights involving Midlands interest are in bold; (c) denotes champion.

Fight 1 (17.15pm): Joe Selkirk, 4-0 (2), vs. TBA. 4x3.

Fight 2 (Floater): Ronnie Heffron, 2-0 (2), vs. Billy Smith (Worcester). 4x3.

Fight 3 (18.05pm): James Degale, 7-0 (5), vs. Carl Dilks, 14-2 (5). 10x3. British super-middleweight title eliminator.

Fight 4 (Follow on): Matthew Hall, 23-2 (16), vs. Lucas Konecny, 44-3 (21). 12x3. Vacant European light-middleweight title.

Fight 5 (Follow on): Nathan Cleverley, 19-0 (9), vs. Karo Murat, 22-0 (13). 12x3. WBO light-heavyweight title final eliminator.

Fight 6 (Follow on): (c) Kell Brook, 21-0 (14), vs. Michael Jennings, 36-2 (17). 12x3. WBO Intercontinental welterweight title.

Fight 7 (Follow on): Derek Chisora, 13-0 (8), vs. Sam Sexton, 13-1 (6). 12x3. British (Chisora) and Commonwealth (Sexton) heavyweight titles.

(Floater to be used before 22.00): Craig Evans, 1-0 (1), vs. Mickey Coveney, 10-11 (2). 4x3.

Fight 8 (22.00): (c) Enzo Maccarinelli, 32-4 (25), vs. Alexander Frenkel, 22-0 (17). 12x3. European cruiserweight title.

Fight 9 (Follow on): Matthew Macklin (Birmingham), 26-2 (18), vs. Shalva Jomardashvili, 27-2-1 (19). 12x3. Vacant European middleweight title.

Fight 10 (Follow on): Frankie Gavin (Birmingham), 7-0 (6), vs. Michael Kelly, 8-1-1 (2). 10x3. Vacant Irish light-welterweight title.

Fight 11 (Follow on): Don Broadhurst (Birmingham), 11-1 (3), vs. Najah Ali, 3-2 (1). 10x3. Vacant International Masters bantamweight title.

Booth targets European campaign

Jason Booth has set his sights on the European title next year.

The smooth-boxing Nottingham super-bantamweight lost a majority decision to Canadian lefty Steve Molitor in an attempt for the IBF 8st 10lb strap at the weekend, but is already planning a route back to a world title fight.

Booth, 32, boxed with credit in a fight that many expected him to be outclassed in.

He cut the champion in the third and was probably edging the contest by a couple of points after the halfway stage.

But Molitor, who'd only been defeated by long-limbed Celestino Caballero in 33 professional outings entering the 12-rounder, showed the resilience of a two-time IBF super-bantamweight boss to grind out a result in the final six rounds of the fight.

And now the gap-toothed Midlander has the EBU belt on his mind.

Although a three-time European super-flyweight title challenger, Booth has yet to annex a belt he has the ability to wear with distinction.

All three losses are said to be controversial, all occurring in the back yard of his opponents - France (twice) and Spain - but this crack would more than likely take place on British or Irish shores.

The champion, Spain's hard-hitting and capable Kiko Martinez, crosses swords with Limerick's ten-fight unbeaten but untested Prizefighter champion Willie Casey in November and Booth can expect to meet the winner.

And '2 Smooth' revealed that the continental strap is his new obsession: "I gave it a good go against Molitor but it wasn't enough to take the title back home with me on the night.

"Now i'd like to have a shot at a title i've been denied three times because of hometown decisions.

"I want that belt around my waist by next year and then we can see where the land lies regarding another shot at a world belt.

"Who knows, i may never get another shot?" reasoned the former British, Commonwealth and IBO king.

"I'm the mandatory for the European and i expect to be facing Martinez, as i think this has come to early for Casey, who is a good puncher.

"I'm already a bit excited for the chance and beating someone like the Spaniard, who has knocked out [future WBA champion Bernard] Dunne and lost to my mate Rendall Munroe [former EBU boss and who challenges for WBC title in Japan next month], will do my position no harm.

"I was expected to knock it on the head after [the loss to] Molitor, but i've got titles to win before that," added the Frank Maloney-promoted, Tony Harris-trained box-fighter, who battled through alcoholism to duel with the best again.

"No-one would have said i would have been in this position a few years ago so i'm not giving up on winning a world title."

Big night for Kevin and Martin Concepcion

October 16 is a make-or-break night for the Concepcions.

Middleweight Kevin (pictured) returns to six-round action against Frank Maloney-promoted prospect Tony Hill, while light-middleweight banger Martin challenges for the British 11st title against Sam Webb at Newham Leisure Centre, London.

And the Leicester brothers have points to prove.

Former British Masters middleweight champion Kevin, 30, was touted as a future claimant of the Lonsdale strap after racking up a tasty-looking 13-0 record.

But a two-round hammering by Yassine El Maachi in 2008, followed by a three-round cut defeat to current Commonwealth 160lb boss Martin Murray, who'd decked him, and a points loss to capable Brummie Tony Randell, Midland Area title, has seen the former can't-miss prospect fall to 15-3 (3).

His 18-minute scrap with Hampshire-based Hill, 5-1 (1), will tell us more about what the future has in store for the Neil Tomlinson-trained stylist.

Brick-fisted Martin, who himself ran up an early undefeated (11) pro ledger before being thumped to defeat in two rounds by a British-based import, looks to have his hands full with a skilled and tough champion who edged by enigmatic puncher Anthony Small to take the title in his last bout.

The 29-year-old Midland Area 11st king, 17-7 (10) went through a spell of six defeats in eight, albeit in decent company, but has won four of his last five (including a brace of one-points victories over Lincoln puncher Kevin Hammond in Midland title defences) to earn this shot at the Kent fighter.

Both Concepcion and Webb, 16-1 (4), have outpointed Birmingham's sometimes-dangerous but always-solid Max Maxwell.

Webb, 29, hit the deck before outpointing the ex-Area champion closely over eight; Martin looking a trifle fortunate to have his hand raised (96-95) after a testing ten for the vacant Midland belt last December.

They're two fights that the Concepcions can't afford to lose.

Froch forced out of October 2 duel

Carl Froch's Super Six clash with mallet-fisted Armenian puncher Arthur Abraham on October 2 has been postponed.

The 33-year-old Nottingham super-middleweight (pictured), who was set to meet the former IBF middleweight king in Monaco at the start of next month, has been struggling with a long-standing back problem and has been advised to take at least four weeks off training for the healing to take its course.

But it will come as a huge blow for ex-WBC champion Froch and those who were looking to make the autumn trip to the millionaires' playground.

A new date for the make-or-break clash between two men coming off defeats in their last bouts will be announced in the next week, with the re-arranged 12-rounder expected to take place in either November or December.

The victor will then advance to the final and cross swords with the man who emerges from the all-American WBA and WBC title fight between undefeated Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell, who lost to Froch in the opening bout but who subsequently defeated Abraham in his second.

Brave Booth misses out on world title

Jason Booth's remarkable Cinderella story came to an end last night (September 11).

The Nottingham stylist, challenging for a recognised world belt for the first time in a 14-year career, lost a majority decision to IBF world super-bantamweight champion Steve Molitor after 12 absorbing and close rounds on a Frank Maloney (FTM)-promoted show at the Rainton Meadows Area, Houghton-le-Spring.

While Canadian Pasquale Procopio couldn't split the pair at 114 apiece, the other judges - Marcus McDonnell, England, and Alfred Asaro, France - marked the bout 116-113 and 116-112 to the self-styled 'Canadian Kid'.

For what it's worth, i had the champion retaining his crown by the same 116-113 margin as McDonnell.

But smooth-boxing Booth, who looked as nervous in the moments leading up to the fight as i'd seen him in his previous 40 professional outings, can be proud of a performance that saw him push the southpaw all the way.

Jason's out-of-the-ring exploits are well-known - a recovering alcoholic who once was smashed over the head with an iron bar before a fight in 2001 - but proved he belonged with the world elite with a gritty showing.

For me, the 32-year-old East Midlands challenger, who sliced open Molitor in the third, was in a commanding position going into the half-way stage of the 36-minute bout - leading by two points after six.

It looked feasible that the red International Boxing Federation belt was going to ripped away from the slim waist of the 8st 10lbs boss.

But Molitor, 30 and a notoriously slow-starting type, gradually began to find his feet and didn't look back.

Upping his work-rate in the seventh, the now-33-1 (12) two-time world champion unleashed a superb volley of punches to send the slick ex-British, Commonwealth and IBO title-holder on his heels.

Cheered on by younger brother Nicky, who was dropped and outpointed by the same Canadian lefty for the Commonwealth bantamweight strap in 2002, Booth tried to force the action, even turning southpaw, in rounds eight and nine, but the taller Mississauga-based boxer matched him - ripping in uppercuts and body shots to snatch the rounds.

While it's evident Molitor isn't the same fighter who dismantled Michael Hunter on British shores four years ago, he seemed to be a move ahead in the final nine minutes, countering the Strelley-based fighter's high work-rate, excellent foot work and second wind with better-quality and more accurate punches.

At the final bell the solid scrapper known as '2 Smooth' knew, deep down, he hadn't done enough.

Gracious in defeat, Booth, now 36-6 (15), told Sky Sports afterwards : "It [the decision] was a fair one.

"He's a strong lad and i felt his strength as he came in.

"His extra power was stealing the rounds at the end but i gave it my all."

As classy outside the ropes as he is inside them, Molitor was impressed with his English challenger: "He didn't hit hard, but was creative and fast in there tonight.

"This man fought his heart out, but i thought i won it down the stretch," he added.

"It was a great fight and Jason Booth has nothing to be ashamed of with that performance tonight."

And it doesn't look as if this is the end for the gap-toothed three-time European title challenger.

Booth has indicated he's going to fight on and should another Midlander, Leicester's Rendall Munroe, win his WBC super-bantamweight title fight with Toshiaki Nishioka in Japan next month, an all-Midlands world title fight with his close friend may be on the cards.

A fight with Kiko Martinez, the dangerous 24-year-old Spanish puncher who won the vacant European title on the same night in Ireland, is another avenue that could be explored.

Martinez holds a first-round stoppage win over then-European champion Bernard Dunne, who would rebound to capture the WBA world super-bantamweight title two years later, as well as giving the aformentioned Munroe two decent tussles with the EBU belt at stake.

Booth can, on the evidence of last night's showing, come again.

Defeats for Midlands pair on Hennessy show

Have-a-go Birmingham welterweight Andrew Patterson and Walsall super-middle Matty Hough both tasted defeat in London last night (September 10).

Second City trier Patterson (pictured) lost out on points (40-36) to Phill Fury, cousin of heavyweight Tyson, who won an eight-round decision over American Rich Power on the same show at York Hall, while Hough was taken out in the opening session by recent Prizefighter competitor Daniel Cadman.

Manchester-based Fury, now 6-0 (1), couldn't hurt the Brummie at any stage of the 12-minute bout but slowly racked up the points to hand the Jon Pegg-trained fighter, 30, his eleventh defeat as a professional.

Hough, 7-5-1 (1) and returning to action for the first time since retiring to Majorca two years ago, couldn't boast the same thing.

The 33-year-old former Midland Area and British Masters title challenger was brutally swatted aside with 30 seconds remaining of the first round by Essex's Cadman, who improves to 13-5 (4), and his future as a paid fighter now remains in doubt.

Once touted as a solid prospect after winning his first five, the Errol Johnson-trained scrapper has come up short in two title challenges and is seemingly too vulnerable to make a decent living as a journeyman, having being halted in all of his defeats.

In the main event Rob McCracken-trained Shepherd's Bush welter John O'Donnell scored a career-best victory, winning a 12-round nod over 1996 Olympic bronze medallist Terence Cauthen. Ken Curtis marked it 118-112 to the former Commonwealth 147lb boss.

Molitor-Booth preview: the fairy tale to end for Jason?

If you'd told Jason Booth five years ago that, in 2010, he'd be fighting for a recognised version of a world title, he'd have looked at you, laughed and continued on with a life that was spiralling dangerously out of control.

The Nottingham super-bantamweight was, circa 2005, at his lowest ebb - begging for money in the East Midlands to feed his alcoholic binges.

But trainer Tony Harris saw him, got him back on the straight and narrow and here we are on the eve of the reformed alcoholic's biggest night - and there is a feeling he may be capable of pulling off a huge upset.

In order to live out that dream, however, he's going to have to rip the IBF 8st 10lbs world title from the cultured fists of Canada's Steve Molitor, at the Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton-le-Spring, tomorrow (Saturday, September 11).

That's no easy task.

Molitor (pictured), now a two-time IBF super-bantam boss, has a fine repertoire of punches, a solid chin and a professional ledger that reads only one defeat (in a WBA/IBF unification fight with tall, long-limbed banger Celestino Caballero, four rounds, 2008) in 33.

For all Booth's grit, heart, determination and solid skills, he's only really been tested on domestic and European levels.

And if you take the former two-time British and Commonwealth champion's record on face value, 35 wins in 40 (15 inside), then he has always fallen short on the step up to European class as well, having lost in three tilts at the European flyweight title.

However, all three were controversial decisions in the back yards, France (twice) and Spain, of the men he was fighting.

And since his return from a two-year hiatus in 2006 Booth has won ten (solitary stain being against flash and slippery Ian Napa, who Booth had previously outscored) of eleven, as well as picking up the Commonwealth title at bantamweight, and British and Commonwealth titles at the weight above.

To southpaw Molitor, who many feel may be on the slide after a ten-year career that has seen plenty of hard fights.

Although he's boxed mainly in North America, he's no stranger to these shores, having outpointed Jason's younger brother, ex-Lonsdale belt-holder Nicky, for the Commonwealth belt in 2002 - and then savagely dismantled a common foe, Michael Hunter, for the vacant International Boxing Federation strap in Hartlepool in 2006 (five rounds).

Five successful defences, all against top-level opponents, followed before being battered to defeat by Caballero. He rebounded with three victories of varying quality and took the vacant belt in March with a unanimous, albeit close-ish, verdict over old foe Takalani Ndlovu, who he'd stopped in a title defence three years earlier.

Is that an indication that the 30-year-old isn't the formidable box-fighter he once was?

Booth, who put in, for me, a career-best showing against Hunter late last year, looked easy-to-hit and sluggish in a eleven-round cut victory over slick but non-punching Matthew Marsh in his last fight.

A performance like that against the clean-living champion and it's likely to be curtains.

Many have used Ricky Burns' WBO world title-winning effort against betting favourite Roman Martinez last weekend as a blueprint and inspiration for the battle-scared if talented 32-year-old ex-IBO super-flweight king to follow ahead of his career-hardest 12-rounder tomorrow.

But hard-hitting Martinez appeared to be a one-dimensional puncher, despite a solid amateur pedigree, who was telegraphing his punches throughout the 36-minute bout in Scotland.

Molitor, based on previous visits to these shores, has a lot more to him than that (can box on the outside before stepping in and fighting on the inside, and hits to the body well; has variation and decent hand speed) and i feel the fairy tale that Booth has been writing for himself will finally come to an end.

Look for the champion to make a successful maiden defence of his belt on points, possibly a late stoppage, having had to fend off a spirited and gallant early charge by the affable, gap-toothed Midlander.

Butlin to face former heavyweight title challenger

Melton Mowbray big man Paul Butlin will meet ex-WBC heavyweight title challenger Albert Sosnowski later this month.

Butlin (pictured on the right) is set to cross swords with the former European champion over eight rounds at Wigan's Robin Park on September 25, on the undercard of John Murray's European lightweight title defence against Andriy Kudriavtsev.

And the durable Rutland veteran, who's been in with the likes of current British heavyweight boss Derek Chisora (twice), former IBF cruiserweight title challenger Jonathon Banks and another European heavyweight king, Italian Olympian Paolo Vidoz, should prove to be a solid test for the Essex-based Pole.

Sosnowski, 45-3-1 (27), was stopped in ten rounds by Vitali Klitschko in a crack for the WBC title in May but is seemingly improving in every fight.

The 31-year-old flattened Danny Williams (albeit a shopworn version of the Tyson slayer) in 2008, following that up with a draw with talented Francesco Pianeta, undefeated in 18, before winning the vacant EBU belt with a landslide unanimous verdict over common foe Vidoz, who knocked out Butlin in two rounds, last December.

But Butlin, 34, is durable, canny and likely to provide the 'Polish Dragon' with a decent night's work.

Hunt and McKervey set for title rematches

Stafford light-welter Rob Hunt and Coventry welterweight Sean McKervey are set for title rematches in their next outings.

The Midlands pair boxed on a First Team-promoted card in Wolverhampton on Sunday, with both contests being crowd-pleasing affairs.

Unbeaten Hunt outpointed Ben Lawler over six; British Masters welter king McKervery drew with Kevin McCauley in a sprint four-rounder.

Now they're to meet again - this time with titles on the line.

The tall, long-limbed 24-year-old, 14-0-1 (1), is due to fight the man he dropped and shut-out, Skegness' former Midland Area 10st boss Lawler, for the vacant International Masters 10st belt in November, possibly on a show in Stoke.

And durable dangerman McCauley, who has gone 2-1-1 in his last four, had hoped a solid showing against the Masters champion would force the southpaw into making a defence against him.

The Stourbridge-based scrapper appears to have got his wish.

McKervey, 7-2-2 (1) and who sparred with former World Amateur champion Frankie Gavin in the run-up to his 12-minute bout on Sunday, will probably make the maiden defence of his strap later in the year - possibly in Coventry.

Froch-Abraham not for vacant WBC title

The eagerly-anticipated October 2 Super Six clash between Nottingham's Carl Froch and German-based Armenian puncher Arthur Abraham will not be for the vacant WBC 12st belt.

Former WBC champion Froch, 26-1 (20), had hinted that the all-European 12-rounder in Monaco would be for the strap that recent conqueror Mikkel Kessler relinquished when he was forced to pull out of the tournament due to injury.

However, the World Boxing Council announced that the other Super Six semi final, 2004 Olympic gold medallist and WBA super-middleweight king Andre Ward against another 2004 Olympian, bronze medal winner Andre Dirrell, will be for the vacant crown.

Froch's fight with the 31-1 (25) ex-IBF middleweight king will be an official final eliminator.

Elcock to return to the ring next month

Birmingham's former British middleweight champion Wayne Elcock is set to return to action next month.

The 36-year-old has been idle since a three-round stoppage defeat in an all-Birmingham British title fight with Matthew Macklin in March 2009.

Since then, a December fight with the current British boss, Barnet's Darren Barker, fell through and many expected Elcock to fade away quietly.

But the Paddy Lynch-trained boxer, 19-4 (9) and an ex-IBF world title challenger, has been pencilled in for a outing in October.

He hopes a victory or two will lead to a crack at his old belt.

"A win or two and i'll be right up there [with the best fighters at 11st 6lbs].

"I'm fit, ready and eager to bring another title to the Second City," added the Shard End-based fighter.

Booth ready for Molitor

Jason Booth is obsessed with his Canadian opponent ahead of his IBF world super-bantamweight title shot at the weekend (September 11).

The Nottingham stylist, who fights for a recognised world belt for the first time in his 14-year career in Houghton-le-Spring on Saturday, is a big betting underdog against skilled stylist Steve Molitor, but he's not without chance.

Ricky Burns' world title-winning effort on Saturday is an example Booth will look to follow - the underdog who puts in the performance of his life to outbox a feared operator.

However, Molitor's credentials are to be seriously respected.

A top-rated amateur, the 30-year-old champion's only defeat in 33 as a pro (12 inside) came against long-limbed puncher Celestino Caballero in a unification bout two years ago (stopped in four).

He's a former Commonwealth bantamweight boss who destroyed Jason's younger brother, former British champion Nicky, and also knocked out common foe Michael Hunter in five rounds four years ago (vacant IBF strap).

And it's the thought of his sibling's defeat that has got Booth, 35-5 (15), pumped for the biggest night of his life.

"It was really hard to see Nicky lose to Molitor all those years ago," said Booth of his brother's lopsided 12-round defeat to the skilled Canadian in 2002.

"I used to get wrapped up in Nicky's fights as if they were my own - as if i was taking the punches as well as him.

"At the time, most thought my brother would win, as he'd fought at a better level.

"Although he did well, Molitor was just that bit better in every single department and it was no shock to me what he's gone on to do.

"He's a credit to our sport."

Booth's battles outside the ring are well-known.

A recovering alcoholic, he's re-ignited a career that looked as though it had been extinguished with wins over decent domestic-level men like Matthew Marsh, Michael Hunter, Mark Moran and Sean Hughes.

But Jason knows Molitor is on another level.

"I've done some daft things in my life, but i can spot a good fighter and Molitor is better than anyone i've ever faced," continued the 32-year-old ex-British, Commonwealth and IBO champion.

"He's all i think about and i'm not going to let this one chance at being a world champion slip through my fingers."

First Team kick off boxing season in Midlands

You could have forgiven First Team's Paul (P.J) Rowson if he'd decided to scrap his September 5 Sunday afternoon card at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

The Black Country promoter had seen no fewer than six fights, including title action involving two Aficans - Ugandan-born, Birmingham-based Swede Patrick Bogere and Ghana puncher Phillip Kotey - as well as a decent-looking British Masters welterweight tussle between champion Sean McKervey and serving Marine Keith Sheen, Halesowen, scrapped in the weeks leading up to the action.

Local ticket seller Jamie Ball, undefeated in ten, was also forced off late on.

But he persevered and those who made the trip to Wolverhampton were offered up five bouts of action.

Token main event saw Stafford's tall, talented light-welterweight Rob Hunt (pictured) extend his ledger to 14-0-1 (1) with a six-round nod over tanned former Midland Area 10st champion Ben Lawler, Skegness.

Hunt, 24, hopes to be in title action this year and a shut-out decision over Lawler, who was brutally swatted aside inside a round by British title challenger Dean Harrison on his last visit to this venue, indicates steady progress.

Shaun Messer controlled the action inside the ropes.

Stourbridge upsetter Kevin McCauley showed his recent form has been no fluke with a 38-38 draw with reigning Masters champion Sean McKervey.

Durable McCauley, 6-18-3, had won two of his last three entering (wins over five-fight unbeaten Keiron Gray here in June and touted Liam Power, 2-0) and boxed solidly to fend off the attacks of the southpaw from Coventry.

McKervey, who won his title with a three-round demolition of West Brom's Wayne Downing at this venue earlier in the year, is now 7-2-2 (1).

Ex-Aston ABC light-welter Chris Truman is now 5-0 after a four-round nod over Nuneaton's Kristian Laight, who was forced to haul himself off the canvas in the second before going down 39-37 for referee Rob Chalmers.

Hard-hitting Rowley Regis welter Jason Welborn, 4-1 (2), shut out durable Chris Brophy over four and Walsall middleweight Bobby Wood, 3-1, bounced back from a stoppage defeat in his last outing to score a narrow 59-57 verdict over the West Country's Gavin Brook, who Wood outpointed on his paid debut last year.

Carruthers' decent form continues

Brummie dangerman Terry Carruthers continued his solid run of form on Saturday (September 4).

The 24-year-old welterweight had won three of his six fights (one draw) since a two-and-a-half-year exile from boxing in 2007.

And in his seventh outing since that absence, Terry ended the unblemished record of Liverpool's former ABA champion Liam Smith, younger brother of British super-middleweight title-holder Paul and Commonwealth featherweight boss Stephen, who won the belt on the same show, with a four-round draw at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall.

Kenny Pringle marked it 38 apiece, with Smith's record now standing at 5-0-1 (1).

Carruthers, whose pro ledger now stands at 6-5-5 (1), has gone 4-2-2 since being taken out inside 90 seconds by future British title challenger Barrie Jones in 2006 - including scalps over current British Masters welterweight king Sean McKervey and touted puncher Trevor 'Wrecking' Crewe.

Busy Terry is pencilled in to box Brian Rose, coming off a stunning knockout defeat to another Second City fighter, Max Maxwell, in Manchester next week.

In the main event, local hero Ricky Burns made a mockery of his pre-fights odds to rip the WBO world super-featherweight title from feared Puerto Rican puncher Roman Martinez on points.