Board calls for Scott and Mykey Midlands area title showdown

Scott Melvin….a real prospect from the Eastside gym

THE dream Birmingham fight that is Scott Melvin and Mykey Lee Broughton for the Midlands lightweight title has taken a major step towards becoming a reality after the Board of Control called for the pair to meet for the belt.

And Broughton’s manager Anthony Manning responded to the news with a curt: “Scott Melvin needs us more than we need him. Mykey’s the one putting an unbeaten record on the line.”

The Board of Control receives more criticism than it does praise, but the governing body’s Midlands Council deserve plaudits for, again, sanctioning a bout the public want, a real doorstep super-fight. Its members are doing sterling work.

Melvin-Broughton is the latest in a line of mouth-watering match-ups made by the council. It has also added extra glitz to its annual awards, which take place this year on Sunday, June 25, at Cannock’s Premier Suite.

Last month I called for the contest to be made. What’s more, Melvin’s promoter, Tommy Owens, said he’d put a “five figure sum” on the table for the 10 rounder. That’s a lot of cash for an area title fight.

Yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) Board circular putting Melvin, managed by Jon Pegg, and Broughton in line for the title fight announces: “Promoters and matchmakers are invited to submit purse bids in short terms for the above contest, unless voluntary agreement is reached beforehand, which are to be submitted by hand to the next Midlands Area Meeting by 12.00pm. on Sunday, 11th June, 2023, at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, Coventry Road, Birmingham, B26 3QW.”

The fight has been given an end of October deadline.

Broughton…back in action on June 23 in his home city

And what a fight it is. Melvin, from Chelmsley Wood, has only one loss in eight – and that was a fairly meaningless split decision defeat over three rounds in an Ultimate Boxxer tournament.

Broughton chases his seventh straight win on manager Manning’s June 23 show at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms.

Manning told me: “Tommy Owen has publicly mentioned a five figure sum. He’s a man of his word. The ball is, therefore, in his court – we’re waiting for the next move.

“At present the focus is on June 23, keeping Mykey winning and looking good. But, remember, if he wasn’t winning he wouldn’t be in this position.

“The title is vacant, but I don’t think they’ll be taking it away from us. As soon as next month’s fight is out of the way, we’ll be looking at the details. Mykey’s had the learning fights needed to reach the next level.”

Last month, 22-year-old Melvin told me: “At its level, Mykey Lee Broughton would be a great fight – and he wants it. I know him from the amateur days. I’d take that fight.”