Show organisers Simon Williamson (left) and Mark Roe (right) with Tom Dallas

by Luke Cawdell

Kent’s elite boxers are preparing for the biggest show in the county for almost 15 years.

Six of Kent's top professionals fighters will be in action at Medway Park on March 15 in a show dubbed the ‘Battle at Medway’.

The last time Medway hosted a similar event was in May 1997 when Johnny Armour beat Anotoly Kvitko in front of his home fans at the same venue.

Chatham heavyweight Tom Dallas, who took his unbeaten fight record to 13 at the weekend, will be topping the bill.

Unbeaten welterweight Martin Welsh will also be in action alongside Sheerness’ Gavin Tait, the Woolford brothers Scott and Vinny from Ramsgate, and Margate’s Dan Woodgate.

Completing the line-up of the eight-bout show will be Crawley pair Nicky Jenman and Ross Payne.

Dallas’ manager Mark Roe has teamed up with Southampton-based pair Simon Williamson and Wayne Batten to put the show on and they’re hoping for a 1,500 sell-out.

“This is going to put Kent back on the map and I’m really excited,” said Roe.

“It’s going to create so much enthusiasm for the sport down here in this part of the country just like Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan have done nationally.”

Roe has also pencilled in dates for May and September at the Gillingham venue as he looks to bring professional boxing back to Kent on a permanent basis.

Dallas, fresh from a first round knock-out of Werner Kreiskott on Saturday night, can’t wait to show what he can do in front on home soil.

“It will be great and there is such a lot of interest in this,” he said.

“I’m still fit from my last fight and can’t wait to get back in the ring.”

Scott Woolford (pictured), the younger brother of Vinny, is also geared up for the big event.

“I’ve got six weeks now to the fight and I’m just going to knuckle down, train hard and be ready for whoever I face. It’s going to be a great occasion.”

Tait meanwhile is hoping for a rematch with Bulgarian Danny Dontchev, after controversially losing to him on the referee’s scorecard, in his last fight at the end of January.

“In my mind I’ve already beaten him and I’m hungry to face him again,” said the 34-year-old.

“To be fighting in front of what will be as close to a home crowd as I can get will be brilliant.”

• Tickets can be obtained from the boxers in personor by contacting the Medway Park box office on 01634 338338.