ROWLEY Regis' Jason Welborn shocked Tommy Langford to win the British Middleweight title.

Welborn secured a split points decision and made it third time lucky in his quest to collect the Lord Lonsdale belt at Walsall Town Hall last night.

The 31-year-old defeated champion Langford in absorbing contest at the top of the BCB Promotions' Battle of the Baggies show.

In front of a jam-packed crowd it was Welborn who started the brighter, closing the camp and attacking Langford with concerted pressure. He rocked the champion in the second with referee Terry O’Connor giving Langford a standing eight count.

Welborn - out at 7/1 before the fight began with Langford a heavy 1/18 favourite - continued to pour forward but Langford, rather than box at range and use his undoubted skills, chose to engage which played into the challenger’s hands.

The mid rounds were Langford’s as Welborn stepped off the gas a little but the challenger came back strong in the late rounds to win a split decision.

The action-packed sold-out show also saw another win for fellow Rowley Regis fighter Tyler Denny. The Midlands Area Middleweight champion is now eyeing a clash with Welborn.

Elsewhere on the card there were wins for Walsall’s Rachel Ball, Birmingham pair Kane Baker and Shake Thompson, Doncaster’s Dave Allen and Swadlincote’s Ross Hollis.