A LEDBURY boxer is to to step up to the professional ranks next month.

Alex Florence, nicknamed Pinky, will take on an experienced 36-year-old fighter from Nuneaton at the PlayFootball Arena in Swindon on Saturday, April 15.

Florence has picked up a number of titles as an amateur and is still rated as the light welterweight champion.

He wants to put Herefordshire on the may and hopes supporters will continue to get behind him when he makes the next step up.

His father and coach Fred Florence said: "I started training my son since he was six-years-old and he joined up with Joe Lock and Viv Bennet when he was 10.

"They trained him to compete to get to this level, we now know he is ready I would like to say a big thank you to Viv and Joe, who taught me to be a mature and coach and to put my son where he rightfully belongs.

"I would also like to thank Malcolm Sutherland, who sponsors the amateurs and tries to get more kids to where Alex is today "

Anyone interested in buying tickets can contact Fred Florence on 01531 631879 or 07833 918134.