THE reigning Midlands middleweight champion will return to action when professional boxing comes to the Venue in Dudley next month.

Fight night has been scheduled for Saturday, April 7 and the six-fight card comes 10 months on from when paid pugilists last performed under those lights, writes Craig Birch.

Area boss Tyler Denny, Kane Baker, Les Byfield, Ryan ‘Stewart’ Davies, Danny Ball and Humza Ali will occupy the home corner after the first bell.

Denny laces on the gloves for the first time since his title glory on September 30 of last year, outpointing Tom Stokes for the vacant strap.

‘Ruthless’ has now set his sights on the English crown, currently held by Elliott Matthews, but will first keep busy in a six-round contest.

The 26-year-old, from Rowley Regis, has utilised his southpaw skills to the tune of seven points victories from nine pro contests, with two draws.

Brummie Baker, from Bartley Green, has been hitting the road since his last fight in the West Midlands at the Venue, where he’s racked up three of his five victories as a pro.

Baker, 27, has boxed at the famed York Hall in London twice and at the SSE Hydro in Belfast, Northern Ireland, against the likes of Conor Benn, Gary Cully and Sanjeev Sahota.

Tividale’s Davies uses the moniker ‘Stewart’ - his middle name - under instructions from the British Boxing Board of Control. He’s undefeated in four bouts, with one TKO to his name.

There’s already two other Ryan Davies’ boxing professionally, the second having to change to an alias of ‘RP Davies’ to avoid confusion.

RP Davies has now retired on medical grounds, after complications with a brain scan. Ryan Davies remains active, though.

Kingswinford’s Ball has a couple of first round TKOs to his credit, just four outings into his professional journey.

Durable campaigners MJ Hall and Chris Jenkinson have gone the distance with the 21-year-old, but Martin Karbrel and Paul Cummings were both wiped out early.

Walsall’s Ali has moved up to featherweight after debuting at super bantamweight but, at nearly 6ft, should still stand as an imposing figure.

The experienced and slippery Anwar Alfadli needed all of his guile to stay in there with Ali, who kept him at range off the jab to record an over the distance success.

Denny, Davies and Byfield all feature over six with Baker, Ball and Ali taking part in four-rounders.

Tickets, priced at £35 or £50 ringside with waitress service are still available by calling 07976 283 157. Alternatively, contact any of the boxers in the home corner on Facebook.