Jennings aims to repel Germon invasion

MATT JENNINGS is raring to go as he shapes to make his winter bow at tomorrow's annual open show at Beau Sejour. Nearly all 790 tickets have been sold for the 15-bout event which sees Jennings top the bill against the man he should have boxed at the last dinner boxing show.

On that occasion an out-of-date medical card prevented the hard-punching local favourite taking on Mick Germon, but the UK boxer returns as a member of the Lancashire select team.

And it will be a big test for Jennings, said his coach, Graham Guilbert.

'He will come looking for Matt . . . he's a pressure boxer.

'But that should suit Jennings, someone coming no to him.'

The sparks should be flying long before Jennings steps into the ring.

Light-middleweight Matthew Clark seeks to make it six straight knockouts at senior level when he takes on C. Banford.

Alderney's Adam Rose, too, will have to be alert against fellow light-heavy Steve Maddox who gave Michael Duff such a tough time at the most recent St Pierre Park show.

Sadly, Duff won't be boxing this weekend, having badly torn ankle ligaments while sparring with Jennings.

The Amalgamated BC team features two debutants in junior Adam Baker and light-middleweight Simon Hainsworth, while welterweight Darren Bundy makes his first appearance in a local ring.

'He's an English lad working over here. He's quite short but likes to get stuck in,' said his new coach, who reports a super-fit squad of seniors.

'We've been taking them all down to the Train Station and Justin Tyrrell has been putting our top six seniors through a training programme twice per week.

'He's been doing us a favour since before Christmas.

'There is no one who is not fit.'

The action starts at 7.30pm.