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Sam Eggington plans to make punches pay

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Stourbridge's Sam Eggington has a long-term plan to make boxing pay the bills as one of the youngest professionals in the country finds his way in the world.

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Stourbridge's Sam Eggington has a long-term plan to make boxing pay the bills as one of the youngest professionals in the country finds his way in the world.

British Boxing Board of Control rules state that fighters cannot turn pro until they are 18 and Eggington, 19 next month, has already made his debut.

The teenager first punched for pay away from home in Swansea, Wales against Leon Findlay, from nearby Ammanford, in a points win on September 15.

The father-of-one already his next fight assignment from trainer and manager Jon Pegg for October 19, on ex-pro Tommy Owens' first show as a promoter.

Eggington goes into battle at the Holiday Inn on Queensway, Birmingham again looking to prove he has the grounding from a sterling amateur career.

The Warley ABC amateur was a two-time national champion, winning Clubs for Young People and ABA Novice titles and reaching a junior ABA semi-final.

His pro turn came before he had even boxed a season in the senior ABAs but Eggington believes the time was right to make his move.

He said: "I probably could have had another year as an amateur but I didn't want to be there and to be in a pro gym is amazing, it's so different.

"All I can remember is boxing, I have trained three times a week since I was really young and I have never been out of the gym.

"Gym time has become a habit, to be honest, and the quicker I can make boxing my nine to five job, the better for me and my family.

"At the high level in Britain, it's very competitive at welterweight but I think I can take it all in my stride. Let's see where I can go."

Eggington is up against Doncaster's Charlie Thompson in Birmingham who, at just 27, is nine years older than his opponent.

Findley was 28 when he stepped through the ropes with the teen and Eggington won't respect his elders when it comes to boxing.

He said: "I don't want to be spoon fed opponents, if I have a lot of easy fights I could be blasted out of the water when I go for a proper one.

"The last guy I fought was 28 and I didn't feel much of a difference, he was a good lad but he got drained towards the end.

"I am resilient, I just carry on and I have never been stopped in the amateurs, I think I have grown quite a hard head!

"I am quite strong and, for a tall lad, I like to work on the inside with uppercuts and hooks. I can take it and dish it out."