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Professional boxing is back at Medway Park this weekend.
Kent’s finest return to the Gillingham venue on Saturday for the ‘Boys are Back in Town’ event.
Boxing manager Joe Elfidh, who is promoting the latest show to be staged at the Mill Road venue, is delighted to be giving hometown fighters another chance to box in their own backyard.
“It is good to have professionals now fighting here in Kent,” Elfidh said.
“We’ve got elite boxers competing in their own town and some of these lads are beginning to make a name for themselves."
Topping the bill is Chatham super middleweight Grant ‘Go Getter’ Dennis.
The 31-year-old (3-0) comes up against Mancunian Dee Mitchell (10-75-2) in a scheduled four-round contest.
“Grant Dennis is getting out and sparring some top boys and he’s making a bit of a noise,” said his manager Elfidh.
Dan Woodgate, from Rochester, is another boxer making a move in the right direction.
Elfidh said: “All of his fights have been in London and that’s just daft with people having to go on trains and busses and the underground to go and watch him. It’s the same with a lot of the boys.”
Chatham’s Ricky Rose meets Liam Richards in his third pro fight, while Rochester’s Haidar Sadik is also in action.
Popular Sheppey pair Oli Edwards and Dave Jones can again expect to be well supported, having both enjoyed wins in Medway during the previous show.
Chris Matthews from Maidstone and Thanet’s Edward Leach are both making their professional debuts.
Tickets cost £35 (£55 ringside with waitress service for drinks). Call 07883 943994. Doors open at 6.30pm and first fight starts at 8pm.