Glover's joy at all-clear for pro debut

Amateur star Lee Glover has vowed to make up for lost time having finally been granted a professional boxing licence after a year of wrangling.

'The Tipton Slasher' was stopped from entering the paid ranks last summer by the British Boxing Board of Control after failing a brain scan, and has made constant appeals to over-turn the decision.

In the end, it took the all-clear from two different specialists for the board to act and this week the 22-year-old finally received his licence, with his professional debut pencilled in for Wolverhampton Civic Hall on June 6.

The featherweight has long been regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the Black Country and is consistently ranked in the top 10 amateurs in the country, after 78 unpaid fights.

Glover notched up 58 wins on the way over a host of rising stars who have already made the grade as pros including Midlands champion Del Rogers, Barry McGuigan-led prospect Troy James and the unbeaten Martin Ward.

The punching plasterer has expressed a wish to move down to super bantam when the title race begins but, for now, will compete at his usual weight.

It has been a year of frustration but the two-time ABA semi-finalist has warned nothing will stand in his path now.

He said: "The professional game will suit me better, because I have the sort of style that will come across better in that arena. I have got high hopes, I am setting out to win titles and become the biggest boxing star in the Black Country over the next few years.

"I am capable of holding my own with anybody with the right experience, and I am quite a heavy-handed kid as well.

"Most people at my weight will find it hard to handle my punch power."

For tickets, call the box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.

The 10-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.