BOXERS Colin McCash and Gary Thompson have received a late call-up to Friday fight night at the Preston Guild Hall - but they are more than ready for action.

McCash, from Accrington, will be facing Danny Moire from the North East in a light middleweight encounter.

The 24-year-old, whose record stands at fought six lost two, was due to fight at Preston in November but had to pull out because of an abcess on his face.

He was disappointed with that but kept himself fit and got the call last Friday to face Moire, whose record stands at three fights, three wins since he turned professional.

"It will be tough for him," said McCash's manager Bert Myers, who was in charge of former Chorley champion Carl Crook.

"It was a last minute call but he has kept himself fit. Perhaps it is a bit sudden but Colin will be ready for it.

"He is a great prospect and this will be a good test for him.

"Colin is on his way up, he is finding his feet and in two years we hope he will be able to got for the British Championship. We have high hopes for him and this is another step on the ladder."

McCash used to be in the parachute regiment in the army and of his six professional fights to dates, one loss came early in his career and his last defeat was in his last fight against Scotland's captain and Olympic medallist Ryan Kerr.

"He was expected to get knocked out early on but everyone was impressed that Colin took him all the way and he only lost on points," added Myers.

One thing McCash will be aiming to do is secure his first knockout - and Moire could be the victim.

Thompson, from Darwen, will be taking part in only his fifth professional bout - but he seems to like Preston.

The 20-year-old lost his first fight in Newcastle against home favourite Michael Thompson but fought at the Guild Hall in November and defeated journeyman Adam Cale from Worcester on points.

Since then he was a victor in Bradford but followed this up with a loss at Salford although that disappointed him.

"I felt I was robbed on that one. I thought I had won but they gave the points decision to the home fighter," said Thompson.

"But I like fighting at Preston. My family and friends will be there so it should be good."

He is facing an unboxed fighter from Bristol.

"Obviously I don't know anything about him but it doesn't really matter. I didn't know much about my opponents in Bradford or Salford. I am still just building up my experience."

Thompson is fighting at 13 stone at the moment but manager Myers thinks he will be better if he loses a stone.

"The fighters he is facing at the moment are big lads and Gary is not that tall. I think he needs to step down two divisions.

"I would like to see him fighting at 12 stone but it will mean a lot of proper eating and hard work. He has the frame of a middleweight.

"He won his fight at Preston convincingly, he is a confident lad, I just think he does need to drop down gradually.

"I think if he loses 6lbs we will see a difference."

Thompson added: "I want to lose the weight in the next six months. The lads are too big at cruiserweight and I know that. I will never get a knockout!"

Myers also has Lee Woodruff from Lancaster on the bill, a middleweight who has had five knockouts and Tony Byrne, from Preston, is also starring. Tickets are available on 01772 203456.