Neil Perkins steps into the ring at Wolverhampton Civic Hall next Friday night aiming to become the next big thing in the heavyweight division.

The big man from Birmingham returns to his old stomping ground to collide with Jason Callum, in a bout that was due to take place in Coventry tomorrow.

That show has since been cancelled, with the top four fighters on the bill moved over to the Civic to make one bumper card of action.

The 27-year-old and new kids on the block James Mulhern, Rhys Davies and Daniel Walton will now fight some five days later than scheduled.

For Perkins, he wants to take his chance to blow the weight category wide open, with the clock ticking before the next great heavyweight bursts onto the scene.

Coming through his teen years when the division was in it’s pomp,  he’s not interested in points decisions, learning curves – only stoppages and knockouts will do.

He said: “Heavyweight has always tended to be the division that everybody wants to watch. It’s great for an up-and-comer like me because it’s wide open, just waiting for someone to come in and make their mark with an exclamation.

“But someone needs to come in and take up that mantle, to make people sit up and take notice. I feel I have the tools to do it. I have been finding my feet so far, now is the time to starting hurting people.

“With a few stoppages, people in boxing will soon be talking about my name in the same vein as Sam Sexton, Derek Chisora and Tyson Fury.”

By day, Perkins has his own gym on Lionel Street in Birmingham city centre, called ‘Fighting Fit.’

The boxing world spills into work when he arrives in the morning. His coach Paul Gough works there as a personal trainer, with fellow pro Richard Ghent also on board as a PT.

And Dudley’s Olympic hopeful Ryan Aston will be employed when he completes his training.

Perkins said: “I have a good team here and there’s enough of us to make sure I can fully concentrate on my boxing.

“Paul – the trainer of our camp – works here as a personal trainer, Richard was certified to do the same last year and now Ryan Aston is training to work here as well.”

The heavyweight is pleased to be back at the Civic, having won all three of his professional fights there so far.

He added: “I am really pleased to be a part of the show, it’s going to be massive. I have actually been restricted to have how many tickets I can have, it’s that big.

“The Civic is great, it’s the only place I know – which is odd for a fighter from Birmingham!”

To be there for the big fight night, contact the box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul ‘PJ’ Rowson on 07976 283 157.