THE NEW date for the vacant English light-welterweight championship contest between TKO Gym fighter Michael Grant and Liverpudlian Steve Williams is at York Hall, Bethnal Green on February 12, when MatchroomSport stage a two-title promotion. Grant and the

THE NEW date for the vacant English light-welterweight championship contest between TKO Gym fighter Michael Grant and Liverpudlian Steve Williams is at York Hall, Bethnal Green on February 12, when MatchroomSport stage a two-title promotion.

Grant and the unbeaten northerner were due to meet for the title last November in Liverpool, but now the Newham-based boxer can look forward to home advantage next month when he hopes to bounce back from his first pro defeat in a 14-fight campaign.

That setback came in Grant's opening fight in the Matchroom Sport Prizefighter light-welterweight tournament at Olympia in December, when he suffered a badly-cut eye against Welsh rival and former European champion Jason Cook.

Despite the bloody injury, the TKO Gym fighter battled bravely through to the third round, when referee Phil Edwards finally decided to step in and call a halt to the quarter-final clash.

Cook, from Maesteg, suffered a points defeat in the semi-final contest against ex-WBA world champion Gavin Rees, who went on to victory at Olympia, beating local boxer Colin Lynes in the Prizefighter final.

However, Cook returns to top the Matchroom promotion at York Hall on February 12, when he faces Morden's Lenny Daws in a 12-round battle for the British light welterweight title.

Another tournament in Matchroom's successful Prizefighter series is set for York Hall later in the month, this time for light-middleweights.

The popular format will stay the same with quarter-finals, semi-finals and the finals staged on the same night, as the competition returns to the Bethnal Green venue after the heavyweight event at the ExCel Arena and the light welterweight competition at Olympia.

PEACOCK BC 15-year-old Shah Shamyan won a clash of unbeaten prospects on the Chadwell and Tilbury show on Saturday when he outpointed home club rival Mike Mahoney.

The Peacock youngster controlled the clash with accurate shots against his capable opponent and was good value for his points success.

Newham's Henry Johnson dropped the verdict against bright Repton prospect Robert Beck on the Bethnal Green club show at the East Ham Working Mens club on Saturday.

Alf Larkin (Newham) produced a lively display against Dave Wheatley (Hornchurch) on the Brentwood show but lost the points decision.