Wallop ABC to stage Redditch mega show

Dickens, son Cieran, Daz Long and Dave Langston. Pic: Michael Ault

NEWLY formed Wallop amateur boxing club has certainly made a smash and bang by organising one of the most ambitious and biggest shows for many years.

And the Redditch outfit – only affiliated 18 months ago – will stage it on the pitch at the Trico Stadium, home of Redditch United.

On Saturday, May 24, the club stages a mouth-watering Midlands versus British Armed forces bill.

It is a marathon evening of around 22 and 24 contests and split into two halves. Fourteen Wallop boxers will compete in club matches. Then the red carpet will be rolled out for the competition between some of our region’s best boxers and the cream from the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force.

There will be banners, flags, half-time entertainment – and an actual red carpet.

“I’ve been told it’s one of the biggest shows – apart from boxcups – the Midlands has seen in years,” said Wallop boss Carl Dickens, a former value-for-money pro.

The event underlines Redditch’s growing stature as a fight town. Back in the day, Carl, who retired from the ring in 2018, was Redditch’s only pro. Now there are a handful, the list including talented Leo Fanthome. Former middleweight contender Andrew Robinson is also based there.

The night certainly underlines the rapid strides made by Wallop in a very short space of time. It has 22 carded boxers and has already staged three shows.

That’s down to the graft and dedication of 41-year-old Carl and fellow trainers Daz Long and Dave Langston.

“We are way ahead of schedule,” Carl said. “We are now where we expected to be in four years time.”

It has taken Carl six months to pull together the Midlands v Armed Forces clash, which is planned to be an annual event.

“It’s been relentless,” he said. “First, I wanted to get bouts for title belts on the show, but that proved difficult. Then I thought about the Forces’ boxing teams. I rang the Navy, told them what I had planned and, from there, it snowballed.

“We are talking about very good boxers in the competition, top boxers. The captains of both teams will walk on the pitch and exchange pennants, there will be medals.”

The crowd will be treated to a boxing marathon, beginning at 5pm and ending at 10.30.

Yet tickets are only £20, with children (14 and under), pensioners, current servicemen and veterans getting in for £15.

For more information and tickets ring Carl on 07405 592491.