TOMMY Jacobs will feature in the main event this weekend as Colchester hosts its first professional boxing show since becoming a city.

A total of ten contests are set to take place at the British Boxing Board of Control's Empire show, which takes place at Colchester's Charter Hall on Saturday.

Two-time former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua won the ABA title the last time boxing of this standard was held at the venue.

Jacobs is preparing for his hardest contest to date, facing a tough South American fighter whose only loss was by one point to a very highly-ranked boxer who has fought for WBC and IBF titles.

With a 50 per cent knockout rate, the former Harwich School pupil faces a tough test against an opponent placed around 350 places above him in the world rankings.

Jacobs will need all the support he can get, as half of the money made from ticket sales will be donated to young JayJay Cranfield, who is fighting his own battle with leukaemia.

 

There are plenty of other mouthwatering bouts set to take place on the night.

Two fighters will compete for local bragging rights when Kasey Bradnum, who was a very good amateur for Harwich BC, takes on against Ryan Ayton who boxed for Centurions, in Colchester.

Ayton is unbeaten in two contests and looking to remain that way.

However, with the opportunity to box locally as a professional, Bradnum has decided to now give it a proper go as a prospect.

Former Harwich star and Haringey BoxCup champion Paul Gordon will make his professional debut on the show.

He is an exciting powerful puncher and fireworks are expected, when he is in the ring.

There are also supporting contests from boxers from London and Brighton, at the event.

Jacobs said: "My manager/promoter and myself are looking to bring professional boxing back to Colchester in a big way.

"This is the first of many shows and the start of hopefully bringing professional boxing back with a bang to our corner of the country."

Tickets are priced at £50 standard unreserved tiered seating or £80 Ringside, which includes access to the VIP bar.

Every ticket holder also gets free entry to Truth nightclub for the exclusive after party.

Tickets can be purchased direct from the fighters or from Willies Gym on Whitehall Industrial Estate.

They can also be purchased here