FORMER world heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon will be the guest of honour at the Newport Centre’s latest boxing show on September 21.

The 55-year-old from Philadelphia held the WBC and WBA belts in the 1980s, beating James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith, Frank Bruno and Tony Tubbs and losing a split decision to Larry Holmes.

Witherspoon, who is being flown over by promoter Mark Prior, will be ringside to watch the Celtic lightweight title fight between Newport’s Craig Woodruff and Mitchell Buckland.

He will then attend the after-show party at the Baneswell Social Club in Newport where he will sign autographs before entertaining fans with tales from his boxing career.

The Newport Centre show starts at 7pm on Saturday, September 21, and tickets are available from matchmaker Steve Sims on 07761965416.

As well as Alway’s Woodruff, trained by ex-Britin champion Sims, against Buckland of Tony Borg’s St Joseph’s gym, the bill also includes Peter Ashton v Jay Morris, Jerome Samuels v Dai Jones and Dorian Darch v Janis Ginters.

The fighters will be taking part in a public training session ahead of the show with a ring to be erected in Newport’s John Frost Square on Saturday, September 14, at 1pm.

“We are trying to make the people of Newport aware of the show and get them interested in top quality boxing in their city,” said Sims.

“Craig Woodruff and Mitchell Buckland will both be taking part as well as local favourites like Jerome Samuels and we hope the public get on board for what should be a fantastic night of boxing in Newport.”