Boxing: Oboh title fight ends Simpson's long wait

Peter Oboh is the type of fighter that most promoters try to avoid because he is too strong, too awkward and also a southpaw. But tomorrow night, he meets Neil Simpson for the vacant British light-heavyweight title at the AT7 centre in Coventry.

Oboh will also be defending his Commonwealth version of the title on Kevin Houston's show, which is the promoter's 13th in 12 months and the latest not to attract TV interest.

"Neil has been waiting for his chance a long time and without TV, I knew it was a risk but I will have a capacity house, Neil will have his fight and hopefully I will not lose too much money,'' said Houston. Both Oboh and Simpson have fought on both sides of boxing's divide and know exactly what it is like to be overmatched and lose. Tomorrow night's fight is evenly matched but is still unlikely to last more than three of four rounds.

Meanwhile, Julius Francis, another boxer whose career has taken place in obscure venues against a list of meaningful heavyweights, will once again have to travel for a pay day. Francis, once the British champion, travels to Schwerin, Germany, on 26 April to challenge Sinan Samil Sam for the European heavyweight title.

* Audley Harrison will face the Serbia and Montenegro boxer Ratko Draskovic in his 10th professional fight. The Olympic super-heavyweight champion will meet the 37-year-old Balkan heavyweight champion over eight rounds on 29 March at Wembley Conference Centre.