JASON Welborn believes patience is the key as he prepares to defend his Midland welterweight title once more.

The Rowley Regis puncher makes the second defence of the belt against Derby’s Scott Haywood at Wolverhampton Civic Hall next month, with the fight once again set to be screened on BoxNation.

After impressing in front of the cameras with stoppage wins over Sean McKervey and James Flinn, Welborn admits he was hoping for a crack at the English title this time around.

But the 26-year-old is happy to bide his time as he waits for his big chance.

Welborn said: “After beating Flinn I was hoping to get a shot at the English title but it’s another defence of the Midland belt.

“That’s fine with me, I’m happy to keep building my experience and taking one step at a time.

“I know if I keep winning there has got to be a shot at the English title at the very least somewhere down the line.”

Haywood has won 22 of his 29 fights and is a previous holder of the English light-welterweight crown.

Welborn is expecting a similar test to the one posed by Flinn, who was touted pre-fight as the superior boxer but found himself overwhelmed by the Rowley Regis man.

He said: “Haywood is a tall fighter, a bit like Flinn, he doesn’t like to stand there and war. I’m going to stick to the same tactics as that fight.

“At welter I feel really strong, I have boxed at light-middle in the past but since I came down to welter I feel as strong as a bull.”

The clash with Haywood will provide chief support to the main event of the evening, the re-match between Shane McPhilbin and Enzo Maccarinelli for the British cruiserweight crown.

McPhilbin had former WBO world champion Maccarinelli on the floor and in the opening round of their meeting back in March, only for the bell to sound 42 seconds early.

Maccarinelli eventually recovered to win on points but the British Boxing Board of Control have ordered a re-match. Further information and tickets are available from the Box Office on 0870 3207000 or PJ Rowson on 07976-283157.