Berridge puts his title on the line

There will be more than just pride on the line for Wanganui-born boxer Robert "The Butcher" Berridge when he returns home to fight Waikato's Andrew Robinson in the main event of April's Rise of the Fallen show.

Co-promotor Paul Berridge confirmed yesterday that Berridge (25-2-1) will put his New Zealand Professional Boxing Association light-heavyweight title up for grabs against Robinson (4-2).

It is the main belt still in Berridge's possession after he dropped the WBO Asia Pacific and PABA light heavyweight titles to undefeated Russian Vasily Lepikhin in Pennsylvania in August. Berridge is visiting Wanganui this weekend, which included running a training session last night at the Fight Fit Gym.

Organisers also expected overnight to confirm the opponent for another returning expat, Anthony Brownlie (9-6-1), in the main fight on the undercard.

On Facebook, the Sydney-based Brownlie said he could not wait for his first fight in his hometown in 18 years.

"I am very excited and to be fighting on the undercard to Robert 'The Butcher' Berridge and look forward a great night back home.

"This is like a dream come true as a lot of my family and friends have not seen me fight as a professional."