RAINTON brothers Martin and Tommy Ward are threatening to lighten up this year’s Summer Rumble on Wearside as the older of the two gets a shot at European gold, writes Peter Mann.

Promoter Phil Jeffries puts on his sixth annual showcase at the Stadium of Light and he promises it “will be the best yet” with some of the region’s top talent on display.

The Ward pair almost guarantee excitement and Martin gets a chance to challenge Bobby Jenkinson for the vacant EBU European strap at bantamweight (awaiting confirmation); his younger brother, Tommy, is currently awaiting a shot at the British bantamweight title and will look at using an appearance on this show to extend his unbeaten record to 18.

Martin said: “This fight with Jenkinson is perfect for me on home ground.

“He’s a tough, game fighter and will certainly come for a fight but I train to win and will be put through the paces in the gym, Jenkinson is up there as one of the best in the country, of not the world and come fight night he will have ten weeks’ notice just as I have.

“It’ll be 12 rounds anyway although I’m confident it won’t go that far as he’s not fought to the same standard as me. Styles make fights and fighters and Jenkinson doesn’t know what he’s let himself for.”

Tommy added: “I just need to keep busy myself whilst I wait for the outcome of (Jazza) Dickens and (Guillermo) Rigodeaux.

“I’m definitely next in line for the British it’s just a matter of when, and hopefully before Christmas so I can give myself a nice present. For now though it’s just getting fights under my belt and continue training towards the big one and see what happens.”

The pair will be joined on the Rumble by an enticing Tyne-Tees derby affair between Darlington’s Steve Cooper and Newcastle’s James Barnes after the latter dropped down to light heavyweight from heavyweight in recent times.

For both it will be their first outing in over a year and Cooper is understandably chomping at the bit to get back in the ring.

He added: “I’ve got a year's worth of pent up aggression in me at present, more so after two cancellations so I’ll be glad when this goes ahead."

Elsewhere on the card two other Tyneside fighters appear in Danny Wall (trained by Tommy Conroy) and the WBC World Youth Silver champion, Lewis Ritson. Wearside is represented by Glenn Foot and Thomas Essomba and Durham comes in with Darren Surtees and Jay Hughes.

Phil Jeffries’ sixth Summer Rumble, headlined by Martin Ward vs. Bobby Jenkinson for the vacant EBU European bantamweight title, takes place at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, July 10.