Khalid favourite to face Scott for title

Khalid (right)…unbeaten in seven and zeroing in on TV debut

AMEEN Khalid has emerged as front-runner to face Midlands lightweight champ Scott Melvin on next month’s major, televised Wolverhampton show.

Fight City understands the unbeaten Worcester prospect heads the pack of hopefuls to challenge for Melvin’s newly won belt.

Scott, aged 23, gets well-deserved national exposure on the November 18 show, topped by Tyler Denny’s European middleweight title challenge. Venue is the former Civic Hall, now re-branded The Halls, and Boxxer promote.

Three people were in the mix for the chance to face the Chelmsley Wood champ: Khalid, Shaun Cooper who would be having his first fight since suffering a fractured skull in a freak domestic accident and Telford’s Tony Jones, who returned to the ring this month after a five year layoff.

Nothing yet signed and sealed, but 26-year-old Khalid now looks most likely to be in the opposite corner. He’s won seven on the spin and been the six round distance twice.

Back in June, Khalid endured a nightmare against tough Jahfieus Faure, climbing off the canvas to seal victory by a single point. Many felt Faure, who has won only two of 17 (one draw), should’ve had his hand raised.

Since then, Khalid has registered two routine points wins.

I interviewed him in the dressing room following last month’s six round decision over journeyman Liam Richards. He told me: “One hundred per cent it’s titles next, hopefully, a Midlands title.

“I’m happy with tonight. The plan was to land the left and pivot around him.”

The odds point to him getting his wish – on a TV bill, to boot.

In Melvin, who has won eight of nine, he faces a boxer who I believe to be one of the brightest prospects in the Midlands.

Last month Scott took the title following a sensational, potential fight-of-the-year battle with Mykey Lee-Broughton.

Broughton was ahead going into the last round when Melvin’s body shots finally took their toll. He was stopped, on the advice of the ringside doctor, after being sick in the ring.