HEAVYWEIGHT Tobie Vermeire has conquered more than most ahead of his boxing debut after battling with a food addiction before getting fighting fit.

The 31-year-old, who trains out of the City of Hereford Boxing Academy, is set to step between the ropes for the first time as a professional this Saturday as he features on Neilson Boxing’s Fight Town card at Cardiff’s Vale Sport Arena.

Vermeire was a late comer to boxing but after gaining weight, to the point where he weighed almost 26 stone, the prospect has shed an incredible 67kg ahead of his maiden match this weekend.

“I picked boxing because it was a big part of my life growing up, even though I never competed it was a family occasion when the likes of Ricky Hatton or Joe Calzaghe were on TV on a Saturday night,” he said.

“I suppose a lot of people will have settled for the weight loss but I wanted to compete and I don’t believe in doing anything by halves. I wanted to go out there to become a professional boxer and that became my drive to lose the weight.

“(When I first told my family) they thought I was made to want to become a boxer and it seemed a bit far-fetched considering where I was at 26 stone.

“When I did tell people it wasn’t really believable but I’m proud to have done it and I’m looking forward to having them ringside at the show.”

Vermeire will face Ryan Lambourn in a four-round contest. To buy tickets to the show, visit www.NeilsonBoxing.co.uk