Boxing promoter and trainer Jack Bishop has confirmed Southampton will next month stage one of the biggest days in its recent professional fight history.

Top of the bill at the Guildhall on Sunday, December 17, will be Southampton born Steve Ede, taking on Wolverhampton's Conroy McIntosh for the British Masters middleweight title.

There will also be a return for heavyweight Colin Kenna who will be taking on a familiar face in the boxing world in the shape of Keith Long.

Bishop is also hoping to confirm fights involving the likes of Southampton's Merv Langdale, Portsmouth's Paul Morby, Jay Morris from the Isle of Wight and Danny Goode from New Milton in the immediate future.

He said: "The contracts are now signed for Steve Ede to fight Conroy McIntosh for the British Masters middleweight title and for Colin Kenna to fight Keith Long.

"I'm still waiting on matches for others but at the moment it looks like seven fights - but I couldn't do this without the help of Trevor and Jacqui Nesbitt from The Grapes who are again sponsoring the show.

"The bill will certainly be the biggest I've ever had in terms of prestige.

"My matchmaker has told me I'm going over the top but I like to give value for money.

"The Southampton public have been very good to me.

"The Steve Ede fight is the biggest in Southampton since I got Matthew Barney here but Steve is a local boy who was born in Southampton and there is Colin Kenna who is a big favourite down here as well."