Melvin faces rugged Bulgarian Markov

GOOD test for Jake Melvin on Friday’s sell-out BCB show at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham city centre, on Friday.

In his fifth outing, unbeaten Jake, trained by his father, former Birmingham contender Malcolm, will face rugged Bulgarian Iliyan Markov. The bout is made at 10st 10lbs and is scheduled for six rounds.

Markov comes with a wealth of experience, has mixed in very good company and is well know to Midlands fans. He took top contender Conah Walker the full distance and also extended Connor Parker.

Ryan Kelly, who tops Friday’s show with his mouthwatering Commonwealth silver title battle with River Wilson-Bent, stopped Markov in 2021 and Nathan Heaney KOd the East European with a body shot.

Both Kelly and Heaney had a sway in weights. Markov is a natural light-middle.

He has won six and drawn two of 33 contests.

Malcolm Melvin said: “I think it’s a good, tough fight. Markov has a go and if he lets his hands go, Jake can show what he can do.”

To date, 21-year-old Melvin, aggressive and supremely fit, has ticked all the boxes. He took a break from the sport aged 15 and, after four years away, plunged straight into the professional ranks.

In a previous interview, Malcolm said: “He’s getting better and improving all the time, that’s a fact. You put the effort in, you get the results and Jake works hard, he trains like a demon.

“Slowly, but surely, he’s making up the ground. I’m really happy. He’s aggressive, has a lot of bottle and we’ve calmed him down. He’s enjoying it, which is the main thing. He loves the training, he loves the fighting and wants to do well. Another two or three fights and we’ll see where we’re at.”