Walsall’s teenage prodigy Joel Ryan aims to continue his bright start on the first professional boxing show to be held in Cheltenham for 26 years.

The 18-year-old is heading to Gloucestershire to compete at the Town Hall on April 10, in only the second paid fight of his career.

He made a winning and impressive debut at light-middleweight on February 27, by outpointing Arnold Lydekaitis at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

Now the former Walsall Wood ABC amateur aims to take that momentum into his next test, on a card also featuring Tipton’s Joe Skeldon and Wolverhampton’s Russell Colley from the ‘First Team Promotions’ camp.

For Ryan, the nervous part is over – now it is time to shoot up the ladder.

He said: “This is a good test for a young boxer like myself. I am not too worried about fighting away from home to be honest, when it comes down to it it’s just going to be me and my opponent in there – that’s the way you have to look at it.

“I was really nervous in my first fight, but now I know what to expect and I think you will see a lot more aggression in my approach, now I have one under my belt.

“This is looking to be a really good time for boxing in Walsall and, if I can help to be a part of that, I will be very proud.”

To be in Cheltenham to see Ryan in action, call promoter Fraser Dalglish on 07590 495 023.