By John Hannen

Pro Box North East will showcase some of the best boxing talent in the region on Friday April 19, when Jon-Lewis Dickinson makes the second defence of his British cruiserweight title at Houghton-le-Spring’s Rainton Meadows Arena.

Dickinson faces a tough test in the shape of Merseyside’s Mike Stafford, who has lost just once in 12 outings, but the Birtley fighter will be confident of holding onto his Lonsdale Belt.

“No one takes a British title lightly,” Dickinson told Sky Tyne and Wear, “you give someone a chance and they are going to come in the best possible shape.

“So obviously I’ve got to be ready for that and anything he throws at me.”

Chief support, in the shape of Sunderland’s Glenn Foot versus Wales’ Jason ‘The Power’ Cook, cannot fail to be explosive.  Foot is unbeaten in 10 with five KOs, while ‘Cookie’ is a hard-hitting, former European lightweight champion who believes he will have too much experience for his Mackem opponent.

The rest of the undercard features talent from across the North East including Sunderland’s Danny Hughes and Kirk Goodings; Hartlepool’s Peter Cope and Callum Winton; Middlesbrough’s Paul Truscott and Shafiq ‘Chubzy’ Asif; Fishburn’s Gary Fox; South Shields’ Anthony Nelson; County Durham’s Tommy Ward, and Newcastle debutant Chris Bennett.

Tickets are priced at £35 and £70 (ringside).  For more information contact 0774 7611 020.