UPTON WANTS IRISH BELT FOR HIS GRANDAD

The unbeaten super-welterweight’s grandfather, Liam ‘Gills’ Upton was a leading amateur for the Emerald Isle during the 1950s and ‘60s and Pauly says he’ll give his all to make him proud.

“My granddad is getting older now so it would be nice to win that belt and take it down to him,” Pauly said. “I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to see the title and to have a professional Irish champion in the family.

“He boxed hundreds of times as an amateur and won most of his fights, but he never turned pro so I can’t wait to turn up on his doorstep with the title over my shoulder.”

With his younger siblings, Anthony and Sonny, also pressing towards title opportunities, Pauly admits there is some friendly rivalry, but he’s confident of becoming the family’s first titlist.

“We all have a bit of a laugh about it and there’s some friendly banter,” he said. “They want to be champions too so it’ll nice to the first.

“I’m the oldest and I was the first to make my debut so winning a belt first will be brilliant and I can’t see any reason why I can’t pull it off.

“Terry Maughan is obviously a good opponent and he’s got experience of boxing over ten rounds, but I’ve seen a clip on him on YouTube and I think I have the tools to beat him and take that belt home.”

Maughan and Upton top a quality bill.

Market Harborough’s Reuben Arrowsmith will be looking to extend his unbeaten start to life as a pro against Bolton’s Chris Jenkinson whilst fellow unbeaten prospect, Swadlincote’s Zach Parker, faces Lithuanian Vaidas Balciauskas.

Northampton duo Jamie Spence and debutant Drew Brown are also in action.

Spence takes on Czech Republic’s Daniel Bazo whilst Brown faces Halesowen-based road warrior Kevin McCauley.

Midlands Area super-welterweight champion Jason Welborn completes the card against Czech scrapper Michal Vosyka.

Tickets are priced at £30, £35 and £40 and can be purchased from any fighter on the bill or by calling 07718 324102.