“I've turned pro because I was on a big winning streak against some of the better guys on the circuit. I was mainly boxing away too, so  I'm looking forward to boxing at a better level and leaving all the brawlers behind in the white collar.

“I like to box technically and tidy. I'm really looking forward to my debut and I have been training harder than ever; up to nine times a week.

“I have sessions with Mark in the boxing gym and personal training sessions consisting of boxing specific training, strength training, fitness and resistance training with ex professional footballer Justin Richards. He too has helped improve my overall strength fitness footwork.”

Gordon has lofty ambitions and wants to emulate some of his boyhood boxing heroes such as Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis. His first step on that road sees him step in with Leeds’ James Oliphant at Walsall Town Hall this weekend.

“I look up to the old school heavyweights like Tyson, Holyfield, Bowe and Lewis,” he added. “What I like about these boxers is their work rate and skill.

“I know who my opponent is and his record is a bit mixed in terms of his win ratio.

“I’ve watched him on YouTube and he looks like he comes to win, which is good as I'm looking forward to putting on a performance for my supporters. I’ve sold a lot of tickets for this one.”

Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 Ringside, are still available from Walsall Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900.

The card features a host of Black Country fighters. Walsall’s Dan Breeze takes on York’s Dean Croft whilst fellow Walsall fighter, Luke Paddock, is also in action. The Midlands Area Light Welterweight Champion Paddock warms up for a maiden defence of his strap by taking on Melksham’s Liam Richards.

Wolverhampton middleweight, Ben Wilkes, steps in with Birmingham-based Fabrice Mpata and Ludlow light middleweight, Craig Morris, locks horns with Latvia’s Viktor Drizlionoks.

Redditch super middleweight, Carl Dickens, is also in action as he steps in with Halesowen-based toughman, Kevin McAuley.

Another West Bromwich debutant, super featherweight Jack Summers takes on Sheffields’s Qasim Hussain. All contests are over four rounds.

A perforated eardrum has put paid to Steven Pearce’s hopes of fighting this weekend.

The Stourbridge scrapper was due to headline Black Country Boxing’s Independence Day show at Walsall Town Hall this weekend.

However, the 30 year-old has aggravated the injury he picked up in his last contest against Amir Unsworth.

“It’s a shame because I was looking forward to getting back in there,” he told www.uko-boxing.com. “I aggrevated it in sparring and, with me being made mandatory for the Midlands Title; it’s not worth risking. I’m not concerned in the long term.”

Pearce has been slated to take on the winner of Rob Hunt and Amir Unsworth, who meet in Cannock next Saturday (11th July).

Neither man holds any fear for Pearce, who has beaten them both in recent times. Pearce stopped Stafford’s Hunt at Walsall Town Hall in November 2013 before doing exactly the same to Unsworth, again in Walsall, as recently as April.

“I’ve held that belt before and I’ll look to hold it again. I’ll start my camp for that one soon, so I’ll be in great shape.”

Independence Day goes ahead without Pearce. Walsall’s Dan Breeze makes a first appearance in his hometown. The exciting middleweight will be looking to extend his unbeaten start to life as a professional when he takes on York’s Dean Croft.

Fellow Walsall fighter, Luke Paddock, is also in action. The Midlands Area Light Welterweight Champion Paddock warms up for a maiden defence of his strap by taking on Melksham’s Liam Richards.

Wolverhampton middleweight, Ben Wilkes, is back in action. The 28 year-old returned to the ring earlier this year after a near five-year absence. The Black Country boxer steps in with Birmingham-based Fabrice Mpata.

Ludlow light middleweight, Craig Morris, returns to the scene of his successful debut earlier this year as he looks to record a second professional victory when he locks horns with Latvia’s Viktor Drizlionoks.

Redditch super middleweight, Carl Dickens, is also in action as he steps in with Halesowen-based toughman, Kevin McAuley.

West Bromwich Debutants Jack Summers and Matthew Gordon, complete the card. Super featherweight Summers debuts against Sheffield’s Qassim Hussain and Heavyweight Gordon begins life in the paid ranks against Leeds’ James Oliphant.

All contests are over four rounds.

To coincide with American Independence Day, a range of USA inspired food and drink will be available throughout.

Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 Ringside, are available from Walsall Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900.

After teaming up together for their first foray into live UK professional boxing, promoter Dennis Hobson is delighted to be working with Spike TV again (Channels: Sky 160, Freeview 31, Talk Talk 31, Freesat 141, BT TV 31).

On a hugely successful night in May at Rotherham’s Magna Centre, Spike TV viewers were left thrilled as Barnsley’s Josh Wale edged out Welshman Dai Davies in a terrific 10-round battle before, in the top of the bill, Ross Burkinshaw and South Africa’s Klaas Mboyane had a four-round war, ending with the Steel City fighter retiring injured.

Now, at the same venue and with two English title bouts heading the card on July 4, Hobson says he is delighted fight-fans will again be getting to see the show live and FREE, and believes the action on offer could be even better entertainment than last time out.

“We’ve got Nav Mansouri defending his English light-middleweight title in his hometown against Sheffield rival Sam Sheedy, which is an incredible Yorkshire derby fight.  And we’ve also got Lewis Taylor, who is a terrific local talent, taking on Stafford’s Grant Cunningham for the vacant English middleweight belt.  So it’s going to be a really enjoyable show and great for the Spike TV viewers.

“These two fights are absolute crackers and can’t fail to be competitive, and full of drama.  As a boxing fan, never mind as the promoter, they’re great fights and ones I can’t wait to watch.  The English title is really meaningful but both these fights could have been for Lonsdale belts because we’ve seen British title fights with competitors with less ability than these four kids.

“The feedback we’re getting from fans with it being on Spike TV is that it’s ‘like a breath of fresh air’.  Where else can you watch boxing free-to-air?  Sometimes fans are even getting charged twice to watch it these days!  And we’re not just putting on boxing for the sake of it, we’re putting on cracking fights.  The two fights on the last show were great viewing, and these two fights will be just as competitive.  It’s a breath of fresh air for everybody and it’s great for us to be putting free-to-air boxing on.”

Dennis Hobson Promotions presents Nav Mansouri defending his English light-middleweight title against Sam Sheedy at Rotherham’s Magna Centre on July 4.  Chief support sees Lewis Taylor versus Grant Cunningham for the vacant English middleweight title.

For ticket information call 0114 243 4443.