TROY WILLIAMSON is determined to enjoy a happy homecoming when he fights in his native Darlington for the first time in almost a decade at the end of the month.

Having narrowly missed out on a place at this summer’s Olympics in Rio, Williamson stepped out of the amateur ranks in October and won his first professional contest at Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Sports Centre.

He is due to return to action at Darlington’s Dolphin Centre on Saturday, November 26 as part of a Steve Wraith-promoted ‘Homecoming’ bill that will also feature Darlington’s Neil Hepper and Sedgefield’s Jeff Saunders.

Williamson is due to take on Manchester’s Yailton Neves at middleweight, and is hoping to continue his professional development in front of what is sure to be a partisan crowd.

“I thought it was the right time to step up (to the pro ranks),” said Williamson, a former Haughton Community School student who first took up boxing at Darlington ABC in 2008. “It’s been different but I’ve enjoyed it.

“I haven’t boxed in Darlington for (eight) years. The last time I boxed in the North-East was two years ago. I’m looking forward to it and I’ve sold quite a few tickets.”

Saunders, another former amateur champion, is similarly bullish as he prepares to step up to six rounds for the first time in his professional career, having won his opening eight encounters in the paid ranks.

His last success was a unanimous points win over James Gorman at St James’ Park, and provided things go to plan later this month, it should not be long before he is stepping up to contest a domestic title.

“I’ll be stepping up to six rounds for the first time, but nothing’s changed in my training,” said Saunders. “I’m doing ten rounds’ sparring now and I’m looking forward to the fight.

“I had good support for my last fight at St James’ Park so I hope people get behind me in Darlington. There’s belts out there for me and I want to bring them back here.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all these lads in action. I’ve known them for years so to get them all under one roof will be good.”

This month’s bill could be the first of a number of promotions to be staged in Darlington, with Newcastle-based Wraith keen to focus his attention on County Durham.

“We tried to bring a show to Darlington a lot earlier in the year, but we weren’t able to,” said Wraith. “These things happen for a reason.

“It’s an area I’m targeting because Newcastle-Gateshead is getting a bit clustered. There’s a promoters’ war whether we like it or not and they’re cutting each other’s throats.

“I can trust Tracey and Jeff Saunders (Senior), so coming a little bit further south makes sense and gives an opportunity for these lads to fight in front of their own supporters.

“I think what I’ve found down here is that there’s a thirst for it, an interest in it. People want to back pro sport and it’s a great sport to get involved with. You get the entertainment of six great fights and I think people will go away and talk about it.”

* Tickets for the ‘Homecoming’ show start at £35, and are available by calling 0191 2299632 or 07944 695367, or online at www.proboxingnewcastlegateshead.com