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Matt Gordon is hungry for his next fight

West Bromwich's Matt Gordon is dealing with an unfamiliar weight problem for professional boxers coming up to fight night - he's struggling to put enough on!

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Gordon undertakes his third outing in the heavyweight division at Walsall Town Hall on Friday February 19,

writes Craig Birch.

Fellow big man Nathan Gorman - with boxing legend Ricky Hatton in his corner - is another from the 90kg plus ranks appearing on the card.

But while Gorman has been trying to tone up more as he eases into the pro ranks, Gordon has been able to eat like a king with the weight dropping off.

Extensive fitness work with his fitness coach Mark Richards and former pro footballer Justin Richards, now playing at part-timers Stourbridge, have paid off more than ever.

Having gone past his desired target, Gordon now plans to pile on the weight by piling high his plate before gobbling up a hat-trick of paid victories.

Former Mixed Martial Arts fighter Lukas Horak will have to match his hunger when they step through the ropes, with the shipped-in Slovakian competing on our shores for the first time.

Gordon said: "I've been losing weight because I've upped the training, so I've had to up the calories, too.

"I like to be around 16-and-a-half stone to fight, but I've been coming in just above 16st in my fights so far.

"I don't like to give away too much of a weight advantage to my opponents because, generally, about 17 or 18 stone is average for a heavyweight.

"I'm not trying to gain weight for the sake of it but, as training goes up, the calories have to go up too.

"At this stage in a training camp, I need to eat about 4,000 calories a day to maintain weight. I don't get sick of eating. It's a good thing - I love it!"

The 31-year-old southpaw hoping for a productive year, after outpointing James Oliphant and Jinrdich Velecky so far. He added: "I want to be busy. I'd fight every couple of months if I could."

Top of the bill for the Walsall show will see Halesowen's Lennox Clarke get back into title contention against gatekeeper Richard Horton.

Clarke was due to take on Midlands middleweight champion Craig Cunningham last October, but pulled out of the bout through injury.

He now looks to nudge back towards the big belts with a tilt at the eight-round British Challenge super middleweight crown, having previously won the now-defunct British Masters Bronze strap.

The 24-year-old will go up against a three-time Southern area title challenger with Horton, 34, usually a campaigner at light heavy.

The bill, promoted by Errol Johnson's Black Country Boxing and Hatton, is titled 'Undefeated' with eight unbeaten fighters, including Gordon and Clarke, in the home corner.

Former world champion Hatton will lead Wednesbury's Sam Evans, Pauly Upton, Reuben Arrowsmith and Gorman into battle.

Light welter puncher Evans (one TKO) has yet to be paired as he looks to make it a hat-trick of pro wins, while Gorman is looking for his second paid success against Oliphant.

Upton is keeping busy as he goes for win No 12 (one TKO) against former Midlands champion Kevin McCauley, while fellow light middle Arrowsmith (3-0-0) goes up against Chris Jenkinson.

Gordon's Sandwell cohort Manny Zaber, from Old Hill, tackles Liam Richards with three victories under his belt. Stoke's Kieron McLaren (6-0-0) completes the card at light welter.

Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 ringside, are on sale and can be bought from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900.

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