CHRIS LAKEY Sam Sexton, the quiet man of the Norwich boxing scene, will let his gloves do the talking when he steps into the ring for his fourth pro fight next month.

CHRIS LAKEY

Sam Sexton, the quiet man of the Norwich boxing scene, will let his gloves do the talking when he steps into the ring for his fourth pro fight next month.

The unbeaten Sexton shares top billing with Jon Thaxton for the No Mercy show at the city's Mercy nightclub, in Prince of Wales Road, on the afternoon of Sunday, October 15.

The 22-year-old Sexton comes up against Jason Callum, who he beat on points on his last outing in the city, a six-rounder with attitude back in December. It was a fight that Callum took at just two days' notice and the Coventry fighter is hungry for revenge.

“He wants to put the record straight,” said Sexton's trainer Graham Everett. “It was a hard fight and it bristled at times and he has been bad-mouthing Sam for a match ever since. Callum's got plenty to say, but he's got the rematch now and Sam will do what he does best - let his gloves do the talking.

“Sam's working hard in the gym and working towards his goal - a world championship. Simple as that.”

While Sexton and Everett have plotted a path to success together, Callum has had to overcome a change of leadership in his team, after trainer and manager Owen Delargy was jailed for seven years by Norwich Crown Court in April for drugs offences.

“Glenn Smith has now taken over Callum's training, and he's taking the game much more seriously now,” added Everett.

Sexton will command equal billing with Thaxton, who faces Alan Bosworth in an exhibition bout - although he is promising that it will, for all intents and purposes, be just about the real thing.

The former world lightweight champion is waiting for the final go-ahead for a WBO world-title shot against Acelino Freitas and a British title match-up with holder Lee Meager, while Bosworth also has titles on his agenda.

The politics of the boxing world have kept them apart in the past and finances mean neither can be matched up in a full-on professional contest at Mercy - but Thaxton says the match-up is important on a personal level.

“There isn't much love lost between us,” said Thaxton. “We shake hands, but that's about it, but what we both know is that we should have fought each other - it's just that it's never happened.”

Also on the bill is Lowestoft's Paul Davis, a 26-year-old light-heavyweight, whose opponent has yet to be confirmed.

Two new faces to the Norwich boxing scene, Gavin Deacon, from Northampton, and Peterborough's Neil McQuade will be looking for their first pro wins.

It's the second nightclub venue for Sexton and promoter Neil Featherby says the atmosphere will be gladiatorial.

“It's a superb venue,” he said. “The ring will be on the dance floor and there is a balcony area where fans will be looking straight down on the fighters, who will be like gladiators in there. It reminds me very much of a smaller version of the York Hall in Bethnal Green.”

Tickets for No Mercy are £15 standing and balcony standing, £7.50 for under-16s and £50 VIP, which includes a ringside seat, VIP lounge, champagne reception and post-fight reception. Call the Sportlink box office number on 01603 868606 or 01603 755073. Doors open at 3pm, first bout 4pm.