FORMER Tenbury United footballer Duncan Palmer steps into a competitive boxing ring for the first time in his life this weekend - in memory of his dad Terry.

Palmer, 32, lost his 58-year-old father to cancer seven years ago and he is taking part in an Ultra White Collar boxing event at Perdiswell in Worcester on Saturday night to raise funds for cancer research.

Each contestant, all of whom are new to the sport, had to sell 20 tickets and raise at least £50 to take part and so far Palmer is up to £1,000 in donations - his former club Tenbury United donated £100 - and has sold over 60 tickets worth another £1,200. A 53-seater coach has been laid on by Yarrantons to transport Palmer’s followers from the area to Worcester.

Palmer, an electrician, is fighting Darren Kennedy from Worcester over three two-minute rounds and he admits: “My dad was a big boxing fan and I am happy to be doing this in his memory and for such a good cause. I am really looking forward it and I respect all the guys who are doing it with me, though I am sure we will be the worst of enemies for just six minutes.

“I have had a nine-week training programme which consisted of two sessions per week, but I also did two sessions at Paddy Brennan’s and two nights training on my own, so I have been doing six nights a week.

“It has been pretty intensive but I have enjoyed it and Paddy has said he could probably get me an amateur bout in the New Year. But I have two young children and I will take a step back after this weekend and get back to my family for a while before deciding whether I want to pursue it any further.”

If you want to support Palmer, his fundraising page is www.justgiving.com/Duncan-PalmerKO1

*LUDLOW boxer Craig Morris looks to maintain his unbeaten start as a professional when he fights experienced Lancashire-based welterweight William Warburton on the Jingle Bells bill at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday night.

The undefeated 23-year-old’s fourth pro fight is on the undercard of the Ricky Hatton trained Anthony Upton’s English title fight against current light-welterweight champion Joe Hughes.