JASON Welborn and Craig Cunningham are promising an enthralling battle when they clash for Midlands honours.

Rowley Regis’ Welborn, 30, defends his Midlands super welterweight crown on his opponent Craig Cunningham’s turf in Birmingham next month.

The two clash in a 10-rounder at the Futsal International Arena in the Hockley area of the second city on Saturday, July 16, headlining PJ Promotions’ bill titled ‘The Reckoning.’

Cunningham, 28, is a proud Brummie, but now lives in Oldbury. He drops down to again challenge for an area title after a fight of the year contender with Dudley’s Ryan Aston.

Their tear-up for Midlands middleweight honours at Dudley Town Hall on May 21 reached a thrilling climax, with two seconds left of the sixth round.

Defending champion Cunningham knocked out Aston with both men wildly trading and now chases the chance to become a two-weight area boss.

Now Cunningham takes up the role of challenger against Welborn, who will keep the 11st strap outright – as he has also done at welter – if he can successfully put up the belt for a second time.

Cunningham has promised more fireworks as he attempts to follow up his thrilling win over Aston.

He said: “I am getting a buzz from the hype surrounding this, the fight is selling itself. It’s a home from home, for me, as I grew up just down the road from the venue.

“It makes sense. It’s going to be a great fight. I’m in boxing for the big nights and, obviously, the fans loved the last one.

“It’s another tough opponent, he’s a big banger and a tough guy. All of his shots are going to hurt if I don’t be careful.

“Everyone forgets we came from the same amateur gym, I was just starting there when he left to turn pro. I’ve known him for years.

“Each fight you’ve got to treat differently and train differently, no two are ever the same. I’ll take it as it comes, work the jab but if we have to go into those trenches again, that’s what we will do.

“You can talk about game plans, but that can all change when you are in there. Me and Ryan Aston proved that.”

However, confident Welborn says he might as well retire if he can’t win a second area belt outright.

He said: “I’ve fought a lot of southpaws and now I’ve got another one. If he wants to come into the trenches with me, he’s more than welcome.

“I don’t think he’s daft enough to do that, he might have caught Ryan but I’ve got a good chin. No one has ever knocked me out, I’ve only been down from body shots.

“If he beats me, I’ll shake his hand and I’ll probably pack boxing in. I can’t see me losing, I’m telling myself that mentally.

“I want another Midlands belt outright to get me back to where I need to be, I want the big fights again. I know there’s more in me than at area level.

“It’s in my blood to be a fighter and he’ll have to match the heart and aggression that I’m going to bring to that ring.

“If I’m 100 per cent, you can put any super welterweight in the country in front of me and I’ll take some beating.

“It’s going to be great, we are both training hard and I know that he wants this. I’m also aware how much I need a result.”

Welborn will benefit from training full-time thanks to his sponsors Daneways Surfacing & Construction Contractors, of Peartree Lane in Dudley.

Welborn’s Black Country cohort Ricky Summers, from Tipton, will serve in the chief support bout, while Cunningham’s stable-mates from Birmingham’s Eastside Gym, Carl Dickens and Kelcie Ball, will also feature on the undercard.

Tickets for the event are on sale now, priced at £35 and £50 ringside. Some VIP passes are available at £60.

For more information call promoter Paul ‘PJ’ Rowson on 07976 283 157.