Welborn eyeing one big year (From Stourbridge News)

Welborn eyeing one big year

10:00am Sunday 17th March 2013 in Sport

JASON Welborn believes the next 12 months will either make-or-break his boxing career.

The Rowley Regis welterweight is back in training as he prepares for his first fight since his January defeat to Frankie Gavin in their British title shot.

Welborn, who was this week presented with his Halesowen News Sports Personality of 2012 award, is likely to feature on the undercard of Martin Gethin’s first defence of his British lightweight title at Walsall Town Hall on April 28.

Bermondsey’s Peter McDonagh is mooted as a possible opponent but ambitious Welborn is making no secret of his desire to challenge for the Britsh crown again sooner rather than later.

He said: “In 12 months I want that British title, otherwise I might as well hang up the gloves.

“I don’t want to fight up and comers I want to fight the right people and try and make it pay.

“Boxing is a short career and you have to get out what you can. I may fight for a Masters title or an English but whenever Frankie Gavin vacates I’d like to be in for the British again.

“The crowds want to see these fights, the fans went mad for the last one. For the Gavin fight I shifted 250 tickets and I could have sold another 200.”

Welborn topped the News’ online poll after making two successful defences of the Midlands title during 2012.

Ultimately, former amateur world champion Gavin proved a cut above but Welborn believes the experience has taught him a great deal and forced him to make changes in the way he prepares for fights.

He said: “Now I’m training harder, I’m taking the right supplements, which I wasn’t before.

“The last three fights I have fought on antibiotics and something wasn’t right.”