TROWBRIDGE middleweight Nick Blackwell will make the first defence of his English title in Swindon in March.

'Bang Bang' Blackwell's fight against Derbyshire's Matt Hainy will headline a bill in Swindon on March 5.

The 20-year-old became the youngest-ever holder of the title in November after comprehensively outpointing Yorkshire's Harry Matthews over 10 rounds in Bath.

Matthews was a late replacement for Hainy, who had been scheduled to step in with the Wiltshire fighter, only to pull out after a bizarre domestic accident which saw him slice off the top of his thumb.

However, the 29-year-old Hainy did claim the Midlands Area middleweight belt in his last fight, beating Tony Randall in Derby in October.

Unbeaten Blackwell, for whom it will be his eighth pro fight, will become the first Wiltshire boxer to defend a title in his home county as he puts himself in position for a British title shot, possibly later this year.

He told the Wiltshire Times: "It's going to be another good night and defending the title in front of another home crowd is a good moment.

"Having it in Wiltshire is a bit of an advantage and having the crowd with you can give you a bit of an edge.

"I think it will be a harder fight than the last one. He (Hainy) is not as good a boxer, but he's going to be a lot stronger and a lot fitter.''

Bill promoter Keith Mayo, who is staging the event at central Swindon's MECA venue, said: "To stage a title fight at a new venue just puts the icing on the cake.

"We have checked through the records and this appears to be the first time a Wiltshire boxer has defended his title in his own county.

"My sle reason for becoming involved in promoting professional boxing was to provide an opportunity for local talent to demonstrate their skills close to home and that is precisely what Nick will be doing in March.''

Melksham featherweight Liam Richards, a stablemate of Blackwell's at Trowbridge's Contender gym will also box for the 10th time professionally on the show, staged by local promoter Keith Mayo at Swindon's MECA venue.

The 24-year-old bounced back from defeat to Dudley's Chris Male in a British Masters title fight in June with back-to-back points victories in Chippenham and Bath late last year.

Calne-born super middleweight Andrew 'Macca' McCaffrey is also on the March bill, after gaining his first professional victory in his second fight in Chippenham in September.

Former Swindon amateur light-middleweight Craig Leadbetter will make his debut on the night, alongside ex-Penhill Royal British Legion ABC stablemate Kelvin Young (middleweight).

Gloucester's Robbie Myatt, Somerset heavyweight Rocky Broadway and Lydney lightweight Chris Higgs complete the show line-up.

Tickets for the March 5 date start at £30 and are available from Mayo on 07789 890453.

SEE NEXT WEEK'S WILTSHIRE TIMES FOR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH NICK BLACKWELL AHEAD OF HIS MARCH TITLE DEFENCE