Essington middleweight Ben Wilkes insists it will be business as usual as the young fighter bids to complete his breakthrough year’s work in Birmingham next Friday night.

The 23-year-old hits the road for the first time to compete at the Tower Ballrooms in Edgbaston, the first time he has fought away from Wolverhampton Civic Hall since turning pro in February.

But the new kid on the block set himself a target of five straight wins from 2009 and he stands at four – with this the last stop to achieve that goal.

Standing in his way is scheduled opponent Chris Brophy, a tough and experienced Welshman hardened by 42 professional fights.

But, having dropped five-and-a-half stone in nine months to make a career out of boxing, there is no challenge Wilkes will shy away from.

He said: “A boxing ring is a boxing ring at the end of the day, my job is to go out there and get another win under my belt. This is what I set myself when I made my debut, if I could get five straight wins from 2009 I would be happy with that.

“This is a good fight for me, I have been to a Ballrooms show in the past and it’s a nice place to box. Some trusted has been placed in me as I think I am pretty high up the card, so it’s up to me to produce on the night.

“I love it at the Civic but this is a new experience for me and that is what I am all about.”

To be there for fight night, contact promoter Paul ‘PJ’ Rowson on 07976 283 157.