Rise of the Welsh Warriors is almost upon us – and it’s Blacks v Ben top of the bill

The stage is set for a battle of the heavyweights in Criccieth tomorrow night.

The WUMA title will be on the line when champion Alan Blacks of Caernarfon meets Porthmadog’s all-action battler Ben Humphreys over five two-minute rounds of boxing.

Both lads are unbeaten so somebody’s 0 has to go.

Today’s weigh-in revealed Humphreys to be two-and-a-half stone more than Blacks, but as the Caernarfon man proved in his last bout, a five-round shutout decision victory over the far heavier Alan Mark Roberts, weight often means little and speed is the key.

Having said that, Humphreys is a fast and heavy hitter, as he proved in last week’s one-round stoppage of Toby Matthews.

Blacks’ record stands at 5 and 0 with Humphreys 4 and 0.

At the weigh-in, where Blacks was 105.2 kg and Humphreys 121.5 kg, the respect between the two was very evident. These are two good friends who will leave their rivalry in the ring.

Blacks declared last month that the Humphreys bout would be his last as he needed time to concentrate on work and family duties.

However, he has since confirmed tomorrow will not be his final contest, but that he will just be taking a break from the sport.

As for his thoughts on the fight, at an interview earlier this week, Blacks said: “It might be a boring fight as we both understand each other’s style of fighting having sparred together a lot.”

Blacks’ manager Marvin Pritchard replied, however: “It will be a very different type of fight to what we’ve seen before.”

Humphreys, 30, whose brothers Cafan (twin) and Wayne are champion fighters and also undefeated, admits he expects a very hard contest against Blacks.

“I have no doubt it will be a tough fight, but I’m not going to be the first of the brothers to lose,” said Ben.

Ben has already got another title shot lined up for a week later when he clashes with Stephen Wilkins on the Ultimate Fight Night show in Colwyn Bay for the British heavyweight crown.

Also on tomorrow’s Rise of the Welsh Warriors show, organised by Marvin Pritchard and Sally Williams and being staged at Criccieth Memorial Hall, is a return between Aiden Jones of MPMA Porthmadog and Erik Zilka of world champion Mike Egan’s Immortals gym.

The pair fought last April and the contest had to be stopped due to Aiden suffering a cut eye. Aiden, 14, has won his two other fights and is keen to set the record straight against the impressive Zilka.

Show starts 5 pm and runs until about 10 pm.

This was the last-known schedule, but a few changes may have been made by now…..(please inform us if you know of any)

Rise of the Welsh Warriors – Criccieth schedule (subject to changes)

WUMA heavyweight title (KB 5 x 2 min)
Alan Blacks (champion – MPMA) v Robert Ben Humphreys (Mad-Dog Porthmadog)

Shaynna Vidamour (MPMA) v Rachel Thomas (Gee M Arts) (KB – 3 x 2 min)
Gari Roberts vs Tom Murray
Llion Davies (MPMA) v Harri Glyn (Independent) (Grappling 10 min)
Bedri Lewis (MPMA) v TBC (Boxing 3 x 2 min)
Katie Jones (MPMA) v Livvy Kendrick (London) (KB 3 x 2 min)
Rhodri Iwan Davies (MPMA) v Sion Davies (Independent) (Grappling 10 min)
Sion Wyn Jones (MPMA) v Ethan Riddle (Mike Egan Gym) (KB 3 x 2 min)
Jason Taylor (MPMA) v Aled Hughes (Independent) (KB 3 x 2 min)
Aiden Jones (MPMA) v Erik Zilka (Mike Egan Gym) (KB 3 x 2 min)
John Jones (MPMA) v Aled Perry (RG35 Gym) (Grappling 10 min)
Monacha Lewis (MPMA) v Ste Mueller (Mike Egan Gym) (K1 3 x 2 min)
Martin Williams (MPMA) v Dan Pritchard (Gorilla Gym) (Boxing 3 x 2 min)
Anthony Richards (MPMA) v Dean Riley (PMA) (KB 3 x 2 min)
Gethin Jones (MPMA) v Pawel Ci (Boxing 3 x 2 min)