The Mexican spice that Josh Wale is adding to South Yorkshire boxing

South Yorkshire promoter Josh Wale has long respected the badge of honour that comes along with fighters from that country.

Six months ago, Wale broke new ground by bringing over three Mexicans to compete in small hall shows in the UK.

Their role was to be that of an 'opponent' - journeymen not necessarily expected to triumph but are all aggressive pugilists who will give their all in the squared circle.

This weekend, one of the trio will again be campaigning in the UK, this time co-headlining on a 12-fight bill at Barnsley Metrodome.

Ramiro Garcia Lopez will test the unbeaten record of Ingle-trained Mohammed Subhaan.

The Mexicans have added colour and grit to the British boxing scenes, says Josh, the former British bantamweight champion, who finished his career at the Metrodome, in 2022.

Explaining why his Outlaw Promotions decided to explore the Mexican route, he said: "A lot of journeymen who were coming over from Europe and Africa were not giving a good account of themselves when they got here.

"I thought there was an opening as these people coming over weren't at the level they should have been.

"I have capitalised on that. I have got this little village in Mexico where they breed really hardmen and I'm getting them over to fight!

"We fly them in a couple of weeks before the fight, they live in a house together, and then they go back.

"We have been working with them for five or six months at our gym in Brampton and they are part of the family now, they are picking up English, bit by bit. They are here to fight and to provide for their families.

"We want proper fights and these lads bring that."

Josh said they have been "dipping their toe" into the idea of bringing boxers in, from 5,000 miles away.

"We are the first ones to have done it and we've been getting phone calls from people asking how we do it!

"There are a lot of logistics to get around, but me and my business partner Scott Thorpe have been happy to have added them to our stable.

"More Mexicans will come over, that's the plan, we have a good level now and we might get higher level Mexicans at some point."

Ramiro won't be expected to win the eight-rounder against the Ingle opponent, but you wouldn't rule it out, either, says Wale, 36.

He boxes regularly, has never been stopped, and has previously TKO'd an unbeaten boxer, at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

"He is tough as they come, is game and durable, trains hard and is an all-round good kid" said Wale.

"Subhaan is a good boxer, he has been on my shows before and it is always good to work with him and his family.

"I am sure the Ingles have got big plans for him."

The 12-fight card:

Mohammed Subhaan (7 0 0) Bradford/Sheffield v Ramiro Garcia Lopez (6 13 0) Mexico light

Dempsey Wale (11 0 0) Barnsley v Lovepreet (5 3 0) India super light

Dom Hunt (15 1 0) Wakefield/Sheffield v Joe Hardy (3 23 0) Leeds super welter

Thomas Crowder (4 0 0) Swallownest v Martin Shaw (4 26 3) Rotherham super welter

Lewis Sylvester (13 1 0) Hull v Owen Durnan Sheffield (2 5 0) light

Ellie Hellewell (4 0 0) Doncaster v Eftychia Kathopouli Glenrothes (5 3 1) feather

Brandon Pickup (debut) Wakefield v Perry Howe (5 17 1) Sheffield cruiser

Tommy Sams (2 0 0) Woodlands, Doncaster, v Dale Kellam (0 3 1) Maltby light heavy

Red Johnson (6 0 0) Sheffield v Edgars Sniedze (6 50 1) Latvia super middle

Jay Castledine (debut) v Shane Smith (1 3 0)

Jake Turner (3 0 0) Halifax v Naeem Ali (3 129 1) Blackburn super light

Josh Sandland (5 5 1) Halifax v Jake Darnell (2 29 0) Blackpool.