Spennymoor Boxing Academy are preparing for their first show of the year which takes place next and they have put together a strong bill.

Jewels in the crown Stuart McCrone and Nathan Ballan will both be in action while fight fans are invited to come along and sample one of their more controversial aspects of the sport - women's boxing.

The host club's Diane Savage of Newton Aycliffe takes on Joanne Walters (Leam Lane, Gateshead) in what secretary Paul Hodgson is expecting to be a fight not for the faint-hearted.

"We had a women's a couple of years ago and we billed it then as 'come and try it', just so that people could come and make their own minds up," said Hodgson.

"It adds some interest - it's something different.

"If you haven't seen them, it's good to have a look. If you are undecided.

"They knock seven bells out of each other - blood all over the place."

Middleweight McCrone is ranked fifth in the country but will have a tough task on his hands when he comes up against Scottish champion Ryan Kerr. McCrone will be looking to avenge a close decision loss in Sunderland two weeks ago.

Ballan is brimming with confidence having recently become National Schoolboy Champion at 51kg. The 15-year-old comes up against Chris Leese of Hartlepool CC.

However, Ballan's stablemate Brad Saunders won't be in action as his own National Schoolboy Final is being held the next night in Barnsley.

Super heavyweight Brian Robinson is paired with Paul Simmons (Lambton), Alex Oliver will take on Graham Benstham of Darlington ABC at welterweight while Paul Warnett faces Birtley's Martin Clark.

Also on the seniors' bill is welterweight Andy Hunter v Mike Longstaff (New Biggin) and light welterweight George Gallone v James Bryan (East Durham Houghall College).

Darlington ABC's Stuart Leonard, who won his National Schoolboy Final last month, fights Spennymoor's Gary Reay having beaten the Spenymoor BA junior two weeks ago.

The bill, which takes place at the Spenymoor Leisure Centre a week tonight, will be the club's first opportunity to display their new 'half-half' strips.

Courtesy of KEPIS Property and Bertie's Clothing, they're an amalgamation of Newcastle United and Sunderland kits, resulting in half red and white stripes and half black and white.

Guest of honour will be ex-boxer Henry Wharton who counts a clash with Chris Eubank amongst his pro. fights.

Tickets cost £25 and are available on 07968 205043.