Del Rogers to face Steve Gethin for Midlands title
Dec 12 2009 by Ian Johnson, Birmingham Mail
PAT Cowdell was so impressed with the powerful victory of Del Rogers that he has arranged a challenge for the vacant Midlands title against Steve Gethin on February 22 at the Holiday Inn.
As the match is at featherweight, Cowdell, the former champion of everywhere except “world” at the weight, knows exactly what is needed.
He said: “Rogers is a Leicester lad but is trained in Birmingham by Paddy and Tommy Lynch and they don’t come any better than them.
“On my show last week Rogers was strong and aggressive winning all six rounds against Pavels Senkovs.
‘‘The lad looks the part and even though he has had only four wins and a draw he is ready for a Midlands title fight.”
n On A somewhat higher scale, WBC super-middleweight champion and Super Six stalwart Carl Froch’s achievements have been recognised following an incredible 12 months for the Nottingham man.
Froch is celebrating having won a hat-trick of awards and he is promising even more to come.
Froch is the British Boxing Board of Control Boxer of the Year while the sports governing body in Britain also honoured Froch for his part in their Fight of Year (his thrilling win over Jean Pascal last December to win the WBC title).
There was further delight for the unbeaten 32-year-old last week when he was voted as the BBC East Midlands Sports Personality of the Year for 2009.
“Last year was great, this year’s been fantastic and next year’s going to be even better,” said Froch, who also received confirmation that his next Super Six outing against Danish superstar Mikkel Kessler will take place in April.
n Despite his disappointment last Saturday night in Newcastle when he lost to Commonwealth featherweight champion John Simpson, Manchester’s Stephen Bell is to have a guest role in Coronation Street.
The Ashton fighter, who has also appeared in Shameless, will feature in a new Army storyline involving Gary Windass (Mikey North). It is expected to be screened in February.
n Promoter Frank Warren has won the purse bids to stage the British heavyweight title clash between holder Danny Williams and challenger Sam Sexton.
Norwich puncher Sexton is looking forward to his showdown with the ‘Old Guard’ of the domestic scene. Date and venue have yet to be announced.
Sexton stopped Martin Rogan in Belfast last month to retain his Commonwealth crown and now wants to add the prestigious Lonsdale belt to his collection. He probably will.
