Coatbridge fighters prepare for bouts

May 7 2008 Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

THREE of Coatbridge’s top fighters are in action next week in what is hotting up to be two nights of top-class boxing.

Martin Watson and Chris Black are lined up to fight on Friday (May 16) at the Motherwell Concert Hall.

And 24 hours later, Ricky Burns competes for the vacant British Masters belt against Buster Denis at the Thistle Hotel in Glasgow.

Watson takes on Englishman Chris Long for the International Masters Lightweight title, while light middleweight Black hopes to enhance his title prospects on the undercard.

According to promoter Carol Rea, of Chris Gimour Boxing, both men have a bright future.

He said: “Both lads are hugely talented and if they win on May 16, I think they have a chance of doing something really special in 2008.”

Meanwhile, Burns is looking forward to his bout against an opponent he knows better than most.

He said: “I actually fought him in during one of my first professional fight and won on points. He was very durable.

“It will be interesting to see how much I’ve progressed since then.”

Tickets for Burns’s fight are priced at £60, including dinner. Contact the Advertiser for more details.

The Watson and Black show, which also features unbeaten Uddingston welterweight Paul Burns, Motherwell lightweight Paul ‘Charlie’ King and Paisley’s Steven Weir, costs £40 for reserved seats and £30 for unreserved seats..

Phone the ticket hotline on 01236 441900, Motherwell Concert Hall on 01698 302999 or Chris Gilmour Boxing on 0141 8105700.