Tom Bowen is ready to last the pace

Sedgley's Tom Bowen is confident of lasting the distance when he makes his professional debut at Walsall Town Hall later this month.

The 21-year-old makes his paid bow against veteran Matt Seawright on February 26 and, training for the big fight, has taken the mindset from the running track into the boxing ring.

Bowen is a keen runner and regularly takes part in the Kinver Rotary Action Heart 10km road race, where he has finished as high as sixth, and uses pounding the beat as a tool to get him ready for the ring.

The Priory Park ABC amateur now steps over to the pro world, after winning 15 out of 20 fights in the unpaid ranks, looking for the perfect birthday present as he turns 22 eight days before the show.

But Bowen will not campaign at his amateur weight of welter, initially, as the match has been made at light middle, although he will shuffle back down to 10st 6lb in the future.

And the new-boy insists at, whatever the weight, he will not found wanting for fitness come fight night.

Bowen would probably have even ran the next Action Heart race but, unfortunately for him, it's the day after the show!

He said: "I won't be doing that one, I think I will need a rest after my fight! I do it to make my training for boxing more interesting really, but I enjoy it.

"It's a bit like boxing if you have got someone running next to you, playing mind games of who is going to break first, it's about whoever wants it the most.

"You have just got to block out the pain and dig in deep, grit your teeth and get through it."

For tickets, call promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.