Jason Welborn and Tommy Langford rematch approved by Board
A rematch between British middleweight champion Jason Welborn and Tommy Langford has been approved by the British Boxing Board of Control. The Stewards decided to accept a request from Black Country Boxing promoter Errol Johnson for the rematch between Jason Welborn (23-6) and Tommy Langford (20-2), which will take place on a date and venue yet to be announced, although most likely to be held in Walsall in September.
Challenger Welborn stunned British titlist Langford in their May 4 meeting at the Walsall Town Hall with scores of 114-113 twice, and the third judge awarding it to Langford at 115-113.
A short left hook in the second-round rocked Langford who staggered back into the ropes causing referee Terry O’Connor to step in and give the defending champion a standing eight-count. Langford weathered the storm to come back and boss the following rounds but was overwhelmed during the championship rounds, just enough for the underdog to snatch the victory on a split decision.
Welborn, 32, had two previous cracks at the British crown before, at welterweight against Frankie Gavin and at super-welterweight versus Liam Smith – both times felled by body shots in the mid-rounds – but on his third attempt he got his tactics just right to add the coveted Lonsdale belt to his WBC International Silver middleweight title and two Midlands Area straps. The British title fight between the two West Bromwich Albion fans was labelled ‘Battle of the Baggies’ and lived up to his moniker as the local rivals went to war, worthy of an early 'Fight of the Year’ contender.
Langford, 28, was widely expected to win having already seen off the mandated opponent, Jack Arnfield (25-2), to his Lord Lonsdale belt in February on the undercard of the WBSS semi-final between George Groves and Chris Eubank Jr at the Manchester Arena. The former England amateur captain, trained by Tom Chaney at Hall Green ABC, had previously won WBO Inter-Continental and Commonwealth middleweight titles and immediately triggered the rematch clause in the contract for a chance to win back the British belt. The warring pair will get to lay it all on the line again in the eagerly-anticipated return billed as ‘Repeat or Revenge’.
The winner of the ‘Battle of the Baggies 2’ will be called upon to defend the title against unbeaten Mark Heffron (20-0) from Oldham.
Dexter’s Thoughts
The date and venue are yet to be announced, but a September date at Walsall town hall seems a good bet. It would be great to have it at the town hall again as it was one of the best atmospheres I have seen at a small hall show. If the “Battle of the Baggies 2” is half as good as the first fight it will be a good one, will it be Repeat or Revenge I can honestly and tell you I could not say, what I can say is this is going to be a cracking fight and one not to miss for any Midlands boxing fan. The column will be talking to both boxers over the next few weeks to get thier views on this eagerly awaiting rematch.This is the fight I have been waiting to be announced ever since their first encounter earlier this year, the first “Battle of the Baggies” is a early contender for fight of the year as both fighters battled for the Lonsdale belt. Welborn won on a split decision and I got to say it was a close one, on my card, I had Langford nicking it by a point but so many rounds came down to what style you liked I did not have any problem with Welborn been given the verdict. The first match was a tale of two halves with Welborn winning the first half of fight and Langford coming back strong in the second half of the fight. It was the championship rounds that were the ones that were really close and were down to what you liked.
First Battle of the Baggies Below.