Walton in Wembley screen test

Shaun Walton and Neil Marston faced each other three times during quality, title-winning amateur careers. And they've trodden pretty much the same path as pros - meeting tough opposition, away from home and often at short notice.

But on Saturday, 32-year-old Walton will make a rare television appearance on ITV's massive Wembley Arena bill, topped by Audley Harrison.

Shaun faces former amateur star Vinny Mitchell, kid brother of boxing's hottest prospect Kevin Mitchell who beat the Telford featherweight twice as an amateur.

For Marston, who juggles boxing with a demanding day job as a slaughterhouse worker, it's a 'good news, bad news' scenario.

The bad news is his first crack at a pro title - a Midlands bantamweight championship clash with Andy Bell - scheduled for this Saturday at Mansfield Civic Centre is off.

The good news is it's been rescheduled for April 1 in front of his own fans at Shrewsbury's Lord Hill.

Neil, a 30-year-old father of four, admitted he took news of Saturday's cancellation badly. "I was gutted - I could've cried," he said. "I put in the work, ate properly to make the weight only to be told it was off."

That hard work entails starting his abattoir shift at 6.45am, finishing at 5.30, then pounding the streets for his roadwork before heavy training in the gym.

"A lot of the lads I face are 18, 19 and boxing full time," he added. "I've got four kids, who mean the world to me, and I've got to pay the bills."

Walton, who has won two of 16 bouts (two draws), admits the Mitchell bout, which will be over either six or four rounds depending on TV schedules, is a step into the unknown.

"I don't know what his style is like. I don't even know what he looks like. I know I'll be an underdog, but I've had plenty of notice for this one and am going to give it a real go."

It's Mitchell's debut - the start of a big build-up that will lead to lucrative title fights. But Walton's got too much pride and old-fashioned 'bottle' to willingly play the role of fall guy.

He added: "The last time I was on TV, at York Hall, Bethnal Green, I was robbed blind - and the viewers saw it. You get no favours in the other fella's backyard - I've learnt that. I think I'm a lot better than my record."

And Walton, who has never been stopped as a pro, still loves the game. "I wish I'd gone pro years ago, to be honest.

"I want to fight on for as long as I can, but when I feel it's not there anymore, I'll just walk away. When I stop enjoying it, I'll stop doing it."

Tattooed Marston has been handed a golden opportunity against a boxer he has the tools to beat.

Bell, from Nottingham, has lost three of his seven fights and was stopped last time out. He's also been halted in two rounds by Neil's stablemate, Steve Gethin.

Marston, who has fought at feather, denies making the weight has been a struggle and he'll be buoyed by the fact he's faced far better men during a 24 fight career (nine wins).

"I feel stronger at bantam," he said. "I've been told Bell's very sharp early on, but I think my strength will tell in the later rounds."

For Lord Hill tickets ring Neil on 07817889467.

By Mike Lockley