More cracking area title fights unveiled

Ryan Whelan…now fights Dave Butlin for light-heavy belt

BIRMINGHAM’S Ryan Whelan will now face Dave Butlin for the Midlands light-heavyweight title.

That clash is among a number of mouthwatering match-ups made by the Midlands arm of the Boxing Board of Control.

In a meeting of boxers who fight under the BCB Promotions banner, Wolverhampton’s Jermaine Osbourne Edwards, fresh from defeat for the English belt, will face Liam Gould for the vacant welterweight title, with date and venue yet to be confirmed.

Coseley’s Gould hasn’t fought since being stopped in one round by Ben Vaughan for the same championship in April last year.

The 10 rounder between Whelan and Tamworth’s Butlin will take place at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, on June 14.

Ryan was to have challenged veteran champion Cliff Henry at the Excelsior Club, Cannock, earlier this month.

Henry, a serving soldier, was forced to pull out through injury and, instead, Ryan kept sharp with a four rounds points win over tough Leon Mitchell. Whelan, a member of Nechells’ Holt boxing family, is unbeaten in six (one draw). Butlin, who last fought in November, is unbeaten in five.

Henry has vacated the belt while convalescing on the understanding he will face the winner of the Whelan-Butlin bout.

Nico Ogbeide fights Brandon Bethell. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

In another eye-catching BCB match-up, big Wolverhampton ticketseller Brandon Bethell will face Birmingham’s Nico Ogbeide for the vacant Midlands super-feather title. The venue and date has yet to be announced.

Ogibede, unbeaten in six (one draw) has made steady progress since turning pro from the white collar circuit.

Wildly popular Bethell came back with a win this month after Jahfieus Faure handed him his first professional defeat. He’s had six bouts.

That looks a real 50-50 scrap.