BOXING manager Jack Doughty rates the possibility of a Warren Stowe-Herol "Bomber" Graham showdown as no better than 50-50.

Reports today suggested that the Burnley Bulldog was being lined up to fight Graham in the Sheffield boxer's comeback fight on October 26.

But Doughty today stressed that negotiations are ongoing while sources close to the former European middleweight champion revealed that Stowe is just one of a number of fighters being considered for the bout.

"I'm hoping Warren gets the fight," said Doughty, East Lancashire's "Mr Boxing".

"But it's far from a done deal.

"Graham's representatives got in touch and we named our price.

"But I have heard nothing since and I presume they are considering their options."

Sheffield sources have also emphasised that nothing is imminent. The 37-year-old Graham, who twice fought for the world middleweight title against ring legends Mike McCallum and Julian Jackson, was only recently cleared by the British Boxing Board to resume his career and has not fought in over two years.

He will choose his comeback opponent carefully and Stowe may be regarded as too dangerous a proposition.

"Naturally he's apprehensive about resuming his career and won't want to take any chances," said the source.

"Warren Stowe may be too tough for his first fight back."

Stowe meanwhile is on honeymoon after wedding longtime partner Toni Louise Whitehead at the weekend.

He is anxious that the bout is made but realises that he may be denied another chance to hit boxing's big time.

"This would be a big opportunity for me and I will prepare religiously for it if the fight is made," said Stowe.

"I'm in pretty good shape at the minute and with thorough preparation, I rate my chances very good of beating him."

Graham wants the match to be made at 12st 2lbs, a couple of pounds above the super middleweight limit.

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