Walsall is not renowned as the most glamorous destination in England but Matty Hough is preparing to debunk that myth at the Town Hall on Thursday.

The 29-year-old unbeaten super-middleweight puts his record on the line against gritty Dean Walker in arguably his toughest test since turning joining the professional ranks.

However, even though this is only Hough's fifth paid fight he has swiftly deduced that ticket sellers are extremely popular with promoters.

Of course, talent inside the ring is a pre-requisite for any potential success story but a glamorous gimmick certainly attracts the floating vote.

When Hough, bronzed from a training camp in Majorca, strides towards the ring on Thursday evening he will be flanked by a brace of gorgeous pole dancers.

It is a seismic shift for a town that has become synonymous for fried Mars bars and was the forerunner of the chicken Balti pie.

Hough isn't a full member of the jet-set fraternity just yet, but his penchant for training sessions in the Balearics is slightly left-field of your average boxer.

Nevertheless, he is just as comfortable in the spartan surroundings of Errol John-son's Wednesbury gym and would willingly sacrifice a life in the sun for a glittering boxing career.

"Training in Majorca is excellent as I can run all day on the beach, but I really like it at Wednesbury," said Hough.

"It's a top gymnasium with champions like Young Mutley, Darren McDermott, Dean Hickman and Stuart Elwell all there.

"The sparring is excellent and Errol and Bob Plant (corner man) are amongst the best in the business.

"I can't say a bad word about the place and Bob is crazy.

"Errol likes to keep an eye on me and check that I am fit as I spend a lot of time in Majorca, which is understandable, but I am working harder than ever."

"However, both Errol and I agreed we needed some more glamour at the shows," continued Hough.

"I told him I knew a couple of girls who would come and help me at the shows and they both work for Legs 11.

"I used to date 'Tasha but she and I are just good friends now. Andrea comes to the fights with her as well and they have made a real impact with the audience.

"No one gives them any grief though, as that wouldn't be a good move in a room full of boxers!

"They are really nice girls and it is all about selling tickets in this game. Depending on how successful I am, and if the crowd want more, there might be some more additions in the future," he laughed.

Despite Hough's mischievous sense of humour he is determined to be an integral feature of the burgeoning boxing scene in the West Midlands.

The aforementioned four champions, as well as Wayne Elcock, Matthew Macklin and Commonwealth gold medallists Frankie Gavin and Don Broadhurst have breathed life into a previously decaying corpse.

And Hough, who boasts an unblemished record, admits that jumping on a winning bandwagon is an option that has immense appeal to him.

"I want to go on and in titles, as that is every boxer's ambition," he said. "I have every fight recorded and then work on all the bad points ahead of my next bout.

"One area I know I have to improve upon is my fitness and I have been doing lots of road work in the build up to this fight.

"My speed needs to be better and I want to throw combinations, not just single shots.

"People might think that I have holiday in Majorca but that isn't the case, as I spend a lot of time in the gym.

"It is owned by a Spaniard, but crammed full of Russian boxers, so you can get some really good sparring.

"I might consider moving there permanently, but it depends on how successful I am in the ring.

"It is a real incentive to try and follow boxers like Lee Woodley (Young Mutley) and claim a British title.

"I want to taste a bit of success that the rest of the boys have had."

* The show takes place at Walsall Town Hall on Thursday May 18th and features Hough, Stuart Elwell, Terry Carruthers, Wayne Downing, Rob Hunt and Darren Gethin. For tickets call PJ Rowson on 07976 283157. ..SUPL: