Three Darlington boxers are gearing up for this evening's boxing show at the town's Dolphin Centre. Argie Ward, Francis Jones and Oscar Hall are the main attractions for the home crowd as the Darlington fighters take on opponents from around the country on a card featuring five top-class fights.

The town's last night of professional boxing came two years ago when Hall fought and won at the Dolphin Centre and tonight Ward and Jones, who both turned professional last year, join him on a bill that is sure to excite North-East fight fans.

The trio all train at Neil Fannan's Hartlepool Boxing Club where WBF super-bantamweight No 1 Michael Hunter is among their stablemates, and all three hold ambitions to match Hunter's achievement.

All have stated their intention to bring a title to the town and currently Hall is leading way. With 23 undefeated bouts behind him the 28-year-old is weighing up his options and a title fight, to be held in Darlington before the end of the year, is not an impossibility.

Earlier this week the Darlington fighters received the backing of Darlington FC chairman George Reynolds - and the Quakers supremo promised to attend the photocall this evening to lend his support.

Hall was unable to attend the photocall but Ward and Jones paid a visit to the Reynolds Arena on Monday and the chairman gave them a guided tour of his 27,500 all-seater ground before deciding to place a bet on the three all winning tonight and he also raised the possibility of one day putting on a show at the stadium.

"It's wonderful when you get Darlington sportsman having success," he said. "I felt honored to have my photograph taken with them."

Ward, three fights and three wins under his belt, is first of the Darlington trio on this evening's SG Petch-sponsored bill and he'll be up against London-based Rocky Dean who arrives in the North-East with a good reputation.

Jones follows Ward into the ring and will be looking to record his fifth win in six bouts - the other was a draw - and he has been paired with Gary Cummins of Sheffield who has two knockout wins behind him and one defeat.

The final bout this evening sees Hall paired with the hugely experienced Leroy Williamson of Worcester who has 80 bouts to his name.

* Doors open at 6.30pm with the first bout starting at 8pm.Tickets are available on the door tonight.