Traveller Brooks showing his mettle

Travelling amateur star Lance Brooks has insisted his upbringing will make him tougher than the rest as the light welterweight prepares for his professional debut.

The 22-year-old will punch for pay for the first time at Wolverhampton Civic Hall next Sunday, on the undercard of the city's first ever online pay-per-view.

Brooks will be led by his amateur trainer Paul Gough, as another graduate of the Dudley-based Priory Park ABC that has produced Birmingham heavyweight Neil Perkins and Coseley light welter Richard Ghent in recent years.

It's Ghent's hometown where the new pro's campsite is based and the surrounding roads are his playground, for the punishing long runs to ensure maximum endurance come the big fight.

And, having sold near to 200 tickets to his supporters for the show, a significant throng of the travelling community are expected to be among the live audience to cheer on their fighter.

Brooks said: "I am up and down being a traveller but I am always local, because I have got to train every day. I go up and down the country lanes with my running day after day, it's in the style of Rocky Balboa to tell you the truth!

"We may be a travelling family but we all come back to a site in Coseley, at least the immediate family do. I have lived there myself on and off for about a decade now."

The turn for amateur to pro is a big test for Brooks but his unpaid record shows his mettle, three defeats in 24 but yet to be stopped or even floored.

Sparring with recent British title contender Jason Cook and former Birmingham City footballer Curtis Woodhouse gives a hard knocks education of what is ahead, but the young fighter is relishing the challenge.

He said: "Every boxer aims for the British title when they turn pro, and I am no different. It's a big time to be a light welterweight, there are some great boxers going for the titles and some big fights likely to happen in the future.

"Sparring with Jason was brilliant, he's just fought for the British, and Curtis was another tough test as well, but I didn't feel out of place.

"The level they are at was something else, I am obviously not there yet but I am confident I can reach that level."

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

The 12-fight show will also be broadcast online live on pay-per view at a cost of just £2.99, through Hatton TV at www.brandhatton.com.