Dean Anderson's long wait is over

Dudley featherweight Dean Anderson will finally make his professional debut admitting the struggle to get his paid career started nearly drove him to quit boxing.

The 23-year-old will box a six-rounder at the Aston Wood Golf Club in Sutton Coldfield on Wednesday, in what will be his fifth attempt to punch for pay for the first time.

That came after a lengthy battle with the British Boxing Board of Control to grant him a pro licence, initially refusing his application because he suffers with asthma.

But that didn't stop him winning a ABA Novice title as an amateur with the Priory Park ABC, with his pro debut originally planned to take place in Dudley some 16 months ago.

The board gave in after that but three times after planned bouts have fallen through, with fellow debutant Adam Hutchinson the latest match.

Hutchinson is from the same gym in Darlington that produced British bantamweight champion Stuart Hall and the 21-year-old will be keen to follow in those footsteps.

But Anderson has warned he is taking this fight more seriously than any that has come before it having trained, dieted and abstained from alcohol for nine weeks.

He said: "I did think about giving up boxing, but I am just looking at the future now and I just can't wait to get in there and do the business.

"I have really switched on, I have got my head down and sacrificed myself. It will continue, because as soon as I have had this fight I want my next one lined up straight away.

"Even though I haven't made my debut yet, I have had experience of the pro game in how to prepare, so this fight will be about getting the rust of my system."