It’s on! Get ready for Broughton v Melvin

Broughton with manager Manning (far right) after last week’s win

THE scintillating Midlands title clash between unbeaten Birmingham lightweight prospects Mykey Lee Broughton and Scott Melvin is on, definitely on.

It is done, signed and sealed and ready to be delivered to the fight public after Tommy Owens won the purse bid.

The pair look likely to meet on a memorable Owens’ show at Planet Ice, Solihull, on September 9. That bill will be dedicated to lightweights.

On it, Owens will also stage his second instalment of Top Boxer, a knockout tournament that sees eight fledgling fighters pitted against each other in bouts of three rounds duration. Last man standing earns a huge payday.

This time, Top Boxer will be for the lightweight division. The victor will be in pole position to challenge the winner of Melvin and Broughton.

The line-up is yet to be announced, but I know exciting, unbeaten Knowle prospect Dylan Norman is taking part. I understand six of the eight slots have been filled.

Scott Melvin…gets his title chance at Solihull’s Planet Ice

Away from the tournament, attempts are being made to add Birmingham’s former top amateur Niall Farrell, now unbeaten in two professional starts, to the bill.

But the headlines belong to Broughton, managed by Anthony Manning, and Melvin, who fights for Jon Pegg.

It has been a match that has encountered twists and turns in the making.

After Owens won the purse bid for the vacant title, it appeared Manning, unhappy with the cash, was poised to pull out.

This week, however, it emerged the fight is on. Manning, who possesses a cast-iron belief in his prospect reaching the top, has doubtless realised the opportunities and openings that come with a significant belt.

Dylan Norman…a competitor in the Top Boxer tournament

What a potentially barnstormer of a bout we have, a genuinely 50-50 affair. And what a great night is looming.

Owens said: “It’s a very good derby match. We want to dedicate the night to lightweights, with Scott and Mykey Lee obviously headlining.

“I know Niall Farrell is pencilled in for a Scott Murray show (The Excelsior) in September, but if he’s fit and ready we’d like to get him on at Planet Ice, too.”

The title fight is an all too rare collision between two boxers on the way up and tipped for big things.

Broughton, aged 21, is unbeaten in seven. Blessed with razor-sharp reflexes, he was in action last Friday, gaining comprehensive six round points victory over Lee Hallett.

Niall Farrell…moves are being made to get the former GB star on bill

Melvin, aged 22, has lost one of eight – and that points defeat hardly constitutes a setback. Last year, he dropped a tight, split decision over three rounds to Dylan Cheema in the televised Boxxer tournament. Cheema went on to win the competition.

Scott hits with authority, has fast hands, but hasn’t fought since last September after suffering a back injury.

Both lads want it.

In a previous interview, Melvin said: “I’ll take what I can get, really – I want titles. A Midlands fight would be great, but if not, we’ll go down a different route.

“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.”

Broughton told me earlier this year: “It wouldn’t bother me going up to 10 rounds, I’ve sparred it a few times. Every time that I spar now, it’s six to 10.

“Looking back, I have to be pleased with my progress. I’ve had my four-round learning fights and I feel like no-one can really touch me now, so I’m coming for them all.”

And Manning, Birmingham’s new promoter and manager on the block, summed up the excitement surrounding the clash in an interview two months ago.

He said: “It’s a fight both fighters would get really well up for. These are the fights that get your city behind you. These are the fights where you can showcase you’re something special and get the public to believe in your product.

“My lad has shown some phenomenal things in the gym and he is doing them consistently. He’s applied himself totally and it’s a pleasure to see a young prospect dedicate himself to boxing.”