PADDY Fitzpatrick has paid tribute to Keith Mayo for helping to keep professional boxing alive in Swindon.

The Ferndale Road trainer was speaking at the launch of Mayo’s latest show ‘By Any Means Necessary’ which will see his two boxers - Luke Watkins and Garvey Kelly - fight on the same show at the KM Promotions fighters.

And with cruiserweight Watkins being co-main event with IBO super-middleweight inter-continental champion Kelvin Young, who is making his 20th outing in the paid ranks, boxing in Swindon is at an all time high.

In all there will be five Swindon based boxers on the bill, with Young and Watkins joined by Tariq Quaddus, Ryan Martin and Kelly, who is making his professional debut.

Fitzpatrick said: “Small hall shows are so hard to do and for the pro boxing in Swindon we have tip our hat to Keith for bringing it along the way it has.

“It is nice for me to have my guys coming through and hopefully more guys will come through and we can start working together and make it stronger and stronger and make it a fight town.

“Swindon has been a town that has produced lots of good fighters over the years but it would be nice to be able to produce a lot of good fighters at one time.”

And Greenbridge-based promoter Mayo, who is putting on his third show of the year, added: “Boxing in Swindon has never been better at this moment in time.”

Meanwhile, Penhill’s Young said that when he made his debut in home town back in 2009, he could imagine his 10th bout let alone his 20th.

He said: “Hitting another milestone as professional is fantastic. When I first started here in Swindon, I couldn’t think about doing m 10th let alone my 20th so I’m looking to getting back out there and getting a good win and see what lies in the future.”