By Terence Dooley

Carl Greaves and Dave Coldwell have confirmed that the Coldwell Boxing-managed Paul Economides (20-7, 4 KOs) will meet Artif Ali (11-,1 no stoppages) for the vacant Central Area Super-bantamweight title on Greaves's show at the Barnsley Metrodome on October 6.

Chester-based Economides will hope to use the contest to get back to winning ways after dropping back-to-back decision defeats to Sean Davis (L 10 in October) and Ashley Lane (L 6 in May).  The fight against the then-undefeated Davis was for the vacant WBC International belt—Davis lost the title when meeting Gamal Yafai in May—and Economides cannot afford another title slip up.

“Spartan” had been in good form prior to those reverses, he had won seven on the spin since losing to Michael Ramabelesta via an injury-induced seventh-round TKO in Liverpool in 2013 and picked up the vacant WBF International title by beating David Kanalas in two in his first fight after that defeat.

The 30-year-old’s other losses came against Stephen Russell (L TKO 1 in 2009), Robbie Turley (L 10 in 2011), Dai Davies (L10 in 2012 with the vacant BBBoC Welsh Area featherweight title on the line) and Gavin McDonnell (L10 in a British Super-bantamweight eliminator in April 2013).

Accrington’s Ali has fared  better in recent times, winning five on the bounce since losing his ‘0’ via a decision defeat to Bobby Jenkinson in December 2014.  The 29-year-old has packed in plenty of rounds due to a lack of KO wins, he has had 56 rounds to learn his trade going into this his first title shot.

“I'm delighted Paul has got the chance of a meaningful fight so early in the new season,” said Coldwell when speaking to BoxingScene about the contest.  “After the setback of his last fight he needs to get back to winning ways and looking good.  To leapfrog his way back into contention for bigger title fights he has to be beating good opponents in real fights—and a central area title is a great step.  It's real title with great tradition so I'm hoping he can grab this opportunity and then push on upwards.”

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