NEWPORT’S Jerome Samuels is in action tonight as big time boxing returns to the Newport Leisure Centre.

Samuels, the son of former Welsh pro Paul Samuels, a Welsh super welterweight champion, is set to defend his Welsh super-welterweight title in almost a year after he won the belt.

The 21-year-old beat Blackwood’s Dai Jones on points to claim his first title at the Newport Centre on March 14 last year.

Samuels, who has not fought since, returns to the ring when he defends his title against Ferndale’s Barrie Jones.

Samuels is now training with Steve Sims at his Alway gym following a run of five successive wins with Richie Garner and recently enjoyed a sparring session with Lee Selby, who is battling to become a world champion next month.

Headlining the Sanigar Events bill tonight are cruiserweights Craig Kennedy and Wadi Camacho, who face each other over ten rounds following their explosive meeting in October.

The chief support comes courtesy of St Joseph’s middleweight Frankie Borg, who takes on Chris Ware in a Welsh title fight.

Newport’s Adam Goldsmith will also be in action, along with Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Nathan Thorley who makes his professional debut.

The headline fights will be screened live on Eurosport. Tickets start from £30 and are available by calling Sanigar Events on 01179 496699.

Cardiff’s Borg is hoping it’s a case of third time’s a charm when he completes his trilogy with Swansea’s Chris Ware.

The duo clash tonight with Borg’s Welsh Area title on the line and the St Joseph’s boxer is looking for retribution.

The middleweights met in a non-title fight in December and it quickly turned into a war with Ware scoring knockdowns in the first and final rounds to spring the upset on points.

Borg commented: “Everyone says he had 10 hours notice but so did I! I had a phone call, half past 12 on the same day of the fight. ‘Frankie, go drink some water, the opponent has pulled out’. They come back with Chris Ware and I said, ‘fine – lets go for it’,” he told Boxingwales.com.

“Going from fighting a journeyman to Chris is obviously a big difference. He’s tough and he can fight, man. Mentally, I just needed a fight by that point because I hadn’t boxed in nine months but Chris had match fitness. He’d boxed a few weeks before in Merthyr when he lost to Morgan Jones. I just needed to fight, I couldn’t turn it down.”

Borg is something of a rarity in coming to boxing late, but insists he’s at no disadvantage despite being in his mid-30s.

He said: “To be honest with you, people go on about time, yeah? But it’s how you treat your body and look after yourself. I eat well all through the year, though. I can blow up [in weight], especially if I go on holiday, but I eat healthy all year and I don’t eat junk,” the 34-year old explained.

“I feel good; my body is alright, man. Age doesn’t matter and I’m fitter and healthier now than I was 10 years ago. My diet is much better, I eat proper and that’s the key for me.”

Newport’s Goldsmith, is looking to continue the fine start that has seen the 21-year old win three of his first four professional bouts when he faces Lewis O’Mara.

The welterweight explained: Goldsmith expects his hard work in the gym to pay off sooner rather than later.

“I’m always in the gym,” said the Newport youngster, who is trained by former British featherweight champion Steve Sims and managed and promoted by Chris Sanigar.

“When I was an amateur I trained like a pro. I never miss a training session. I trained on my birthday, Christmas Day, every day.

“I turned pro at 18 and I’ve only had three fights so I’ve been too inactive,” he said.

“I’d love to be active, get plenty of fights and maybe get a shot at a Welsh title or a British Masters title.

“I think I’m strong for a welterweight and I try to box a bit and counter-punch,” he added.

“I adapt my style to whoever I fight and I’m ready to take anyone on.

“I do ten and 12 rounds in the gym and I do it in sparring easily.

“I know it’s a different thing in a fight but my stamina is good so I think longer fights would suit me.”