Luke Blackledge takes last minute fight as British title shot looms

The 23-year-old powerhouse will go up against a yet to be named opponent at the “Yorkshire’s Finest” event ahead of his proposed British title fight with Paul Smith later on in the year.

The fight for the Lonsdale belt between Blackledge and holder Smith is expected to take place at the Olympia, in Smith’s hometown of Liverpool, sometime around November.

Blackledge will be hoping for a bit more fortune this time out after his last fight ended in a draw when a doctor deemed a cut above the eye of opponent Alastair Warren, caused by an accidental clash of heads, too serious for him to continue.

The “Yorkshire’s Finest” event will be headlined by Josh Warrington defending his English featherweight title against Ian Bailey.

Tickets are £30 and available from Maree Leisure at Stirk House.