TRAINER Paddy Fitzpatrick says he is looking forward to a bustling night of boxing as his fighters all feature on this weekend’s ‘No Retreat, No Surrender’ show at Swindon MECA.

Commonwealth cruiserweight champion Luke ‘The Duke’ Watkins tops the bill, while Sam Smith, Ryan Martin and Becky Connolly will all be in action too.

With plenty at stake for all of his fighters, Fitzpatrick says it is important they all put on a performance in front of a home crowd.

The Ferndale Road-based trainer added that Watkins is particularly keen to put on a good performance in Swindon as his last three fights have all been away from his home town.

Martin has also boxed away from Swindon in recent months, while Smith has had a long wait to get back into the ring after seeing four fights cancelled in the last year.

“It’s nice to have a show in Swindon again and be able to give something back to the people of Swindon,” said Fitzpatrick.

“Duke thinks the world of Swindon. He fought away three times last year under three different promoters.

“Duke really wants to come home and he really wants to entertain and do something special for the crowd at home.

“People are surprised with how much he loves Swindon but he has had crazy support from people travelling away for him and now he wants to be doing it at home.”

Light-heavyweight Smith, whose opponent Kirk Garvey boasts an 11-1 record, begins his journey towards the Southern Area title, as his bout is a final eliminator.

With four previous outings called off, Fitzpatrick revealed Smith had a great opportunity to fight for the IBF inter-continental title, which he turned down in order to pursue the Southern Area crown.

“He had the chance to go to Germany and fight for excellent money but he said that he wanted the Southern Area title,” said Fitzpatrick.

“It wasn’t because he didn’t want to fight a good opponent, because Garvey is a good opponent, he is just obsessed with the Southern Area title.

“His uncle won that title and it has been in and out of his family for years. He wants it so I am excited for him too.

“He commits everything to this game. He travels 90 miles to see me and he is outside my door to the minute before his session.

“He really is a perfect example of what it takes to be successful.”