By Cihat Gemici

World Boxing Council International super middleweight champion, Avni Yildirim, will defend his belt against Canadian Ryan Ford (14-2-0) on May 12th. The fight will take place from the Nobeo Gmbh Studio 1 Hurth in Westfalen, Germany.

Yildirim (18-1-0, 11 KOs) returned to the winning route this past March when he defeated experienced Derek Edwards by unanimous decision at the Sartory Saale in Cologne, Germany.

The Turkish fighter was prepared for this match with Mike Tyson’s former coach, Stacey McKinley, in California. Yildirim also worked hard with Mexican star Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to prepare himself for the match with Ford.

Yildirim’s opponent, Ryan Ford, is former MMA fighter and son of former professional boxer Al Ford. Ford has also formerly competed for Bellator, the WSOF, the MFC, TFC, and the AFC.

The Canadian has a record 22-5 in his MMA career. And the 36 year old will fight in Germany first time in his career.

“Mr. Robot” Yildirim currently holds the position no. 5 in the WBC rankings and hopes to have a chance against champion David Benavidez in the near future.

His aim is to bring the green and gold belt to his country for the first time in history.

24 years old super welterweight American Mohamed Khaloua (4-0), light heavyweight “Bavarian Sniper” Serge Michel (5-0), super middle weight Yusuf Kangul will be among the other names to be a part of Ahmet Oner’s Arena Sport Promotion Boxing Night.

IN OTHER NEWS: Jason Welborn upset the odds to win the Battle of the Baggies and make it third time lucky in his quest to collect a Lord Lonsdale belt at Walsall Town Hall on Friday night.

The 31 year-old from Rowley Regis defeated champion Tommy Langford to be crowned British Middleweight Champion in an absorbing contest sponsored by Amphion Construction, Alliance Scaffolding and Grosvenor Casino Walsall.

The duo - both West Bromwich Albion fans - gave everything they had in a Fight of the Year contender on BCB Promotions’ latest sell-out 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 Championship rounds to win a split decision.

Elsewhere on the card there were wins for Rowley Regis’ Midlands Area Middleweight Champion, Tyler Denny, Walsall’s Rachel Ball, Birmingham pair Kane Baker and Shake Thompson, Doncaster’s Dave Allen and Swadlincote’s Ross Hollis.