Grant Cunningham wants to step up

Stafford's Grant Cunningham will be looking to put his best foot forward when he gets back in the ring at Walsall Town Hall.

The 27-year-old takes in his second fight as a professional a week on Saturday, when he goes up against Londoner Louis Byrne over four rounds at middleweight.

Busy Byrne boxed as recently as last Friday night, losing a points decision to Danny Gerrard in Barnsley and is due back out against Alex Gibbens in Portsmouth the week after facing Cunningham.

Cunningham made his debut at Walsall Town Hall in February and made a mess of Davey Jones, who was cut below the left eye and took a count in the fifth of their six-rounder.

In the end, Cunningham had to settle for a points win and feels he was not at his best, with his work hampered by a knee injury.

Now the Moss Pit ace plans to show what he is all about with a total package, combining foot-work with fast hands on fight night.

He said: "I am working on being more explosive, I was happy with my speed of punch last time but I didn't get to show everything that I wanted to show.

"My foot-work wasn't what I wanted it to be last time, due to a knee injury that I had, so I couldn't put my foot on the gas like I would have liked.

"But, now that's sorted, I have got no excuses. Last time I wanted to show people my jab, this time I want to show people my foot-work."

Cunningham's knee has now fully healed, allowing him to get back to full pelt in training ahead of the bout.

But Byrne is nearly eight years younger than Jones at 26 and could carry more of a threat, so Cunningham admits he will have to up his game.

He said: "I have been working on closing my opponent down and getting my shots off a bit better, he's a bit more game than the last guy so it should be an interesting fight.

"He's got a bit of a dig on him, as well, but I know I can take a punch. I don't normally have to, because my reactions get me in and out."

Tickets are available from Walsall Town Hall by calling 0845 111 2900 or by contacting promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.