'Maximum' security vow for Walsall boxing night after Reagan Asbury stabbing
Security will be at the ‘maximum’ at a big boxing match at Walsall Town Hall after a fan was killed outside the venue, organisers have pledged.
Hundreds of fans are expected to attend the fight night at the town hall on December 8.
The focus will be on security at the venue after Reagan Asbury, 19, was knifed to death when violent scenes erupted in October 2017.
Boxing has since returned to the venue but the fight next month will be the biggest since the tragedy and organisers want to ensure it passes off without any ugly scenes outside the ring.
Hometown hero James Beech takes on Louis Fielding for the for the Midlands title and is expected to be backed by a partisan crowd.
The two headline Errol Johnson’s BCB Promotions show is at the venue, which is a short distance from where Beech grew up in Bloxwich.
Organisers are due to hold talks with police chiefs in a bid to ensure the event passes off without incident.
A knife arch is likely to be in place, while all spectators will be thoroughly searched.
Errol Johnson, head of boxing at BCB, said: “Security will be at its maximum.
"We haven’t had the meeting yet but I’m assuming there will be a knife arch.
"Those attending will definitely be searched and swiped.
“Security will be very tight, we will be stepping it up and make sure we are having meetings with police.”
Mr Johnson added he was keen for the focus to be on the boxing.
“Hopefully people come and just enjoy the boxing and go away and enjoy their night,” he said.
Mr Asbury was stabbed as violence spilled out of the town hall following a fractious bout.
Fans began to throw tables and chairs in the VIP area of the venue at the end of an IBF lightweight fight involving Derby-based Myron Mills and Walsall fighter Luke Paddock on October 14 last year and the trouble continued outside where Mr Asbury was knifed.
Killer Tyrone Andrew was jailed for 14 years for manslaughter in August.
Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said: “I like to think that with all the events at the town hall what happened was an isolated incident and we won’t see a repeat of that.
“I don’t know if the police will be bringing their knife arch but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have that as people come in.
“Knives seem to be everywhere these days but I don’t think we should allow the minority to spoil the enjoyment of the majority.”
