“The first big title on the street up there!” Newark boxer Tom Cowling is preparing for the title fight that he hopes will advance his career

Tom Cowling has his sights set on a title.

The Newark boxer will face Troy Coleman for the vacant Midlands middleweight belt at the Meres Leisure Centre in Grantham on Saturday 14 September.

Also on the program of “The Time Has Come” are former WBO world champion, Commonwealth champion and British light heavyweight champion Callum Johnson, who once knocked down Artur Beterbiev during the IBF world title fight in Chicago, and Jade Grierson from Newark.

The exciting card will also feature numerous fighters from Lincolnshire and the Midlands.

Promoter and trainer Carl Greaves believes the win could catapult Newark-based Cowling into a new phase of his career.

“It’s a great venue and we have a fantastic top-notch programme,” he said.

“Tom Cowling versus Troy Coleman is a real 50-50 fight. Both have similar records.

“Tom is undefeated and Troy is at a good level and has won a few titles.

“This is a big challenge for Tom and if he wants to win he will have to do his best because it is not an easy fight. But in my opinion he is ready for it.”

“Hopefully the people of Grantham and Newark will support him in this game and cheer him on.”

After a year away from the sport, Cowling returned to the ring with a point victory over Tomasz Feltz in Newark and then stopped James Todd in his final fight night at Meres.

“His comeback fight was rather unremarkable but he looked fantastic in his last fight in Grantham,” added Greaves.

“It did him good. He has a lot of power, can hit well and has enormous potential. It's a good opportunity to see him fight.

“Winning the title in the Midlands would be a big step up. It's the first big title on the way there.”

“If you win this one you aim for the English title, if you win this one you aim for Great Britain and the Commonwealth.

“The Midlands is a huge area considering it starts in Cleethorpes and finishes in Worcester. There are a lot of good boxers there so it's a great title.”

“Some great fighters have won the Midlands title. Hopefully he can return to Newark.”

Johnson is no stranger to martial arts fans since he won the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010.

The Boston native, who now fights in the cruiserweight division, has backtracked on his decision to hang up his gloves and is hoping for more wins after scoring a points victory over Viktar Chvarlou in his last fight in Grantham.

“Last time it was a bit of a rush job, he wasn't fully prepared and didn't play to his full potential,” admitted Greaves.

“But he is better prepared for that.

“He’s 39 now, but we’re hoping for one last big fight, one last big chance and hopefully he can get that one big title before he retires.

“He has tremendous pedigree and it’s great to have him here.”

Johnson's opponent has yet to be confirmed, but several of Greaves' fighters have evenly matched fights.

Grantham-born and Newark-based super-welter Grierson, Harvey Elding and Thomas Pogson from Boston, Shaydon Walmsley (Grimsby) and Jamie Behan (Lincoln) will also showcase their skills.

Tickets for the show are available at www.carlgreavespromotions.co.uk.