Manny Zaber has 'mini Mike Tyson' aims

The lightweight from Old Hill takes part in his second paid bout at the Banks's Stadium, home of Walsall Football Club, on Friday September 4.

The 20-year-old turned over with a shut-out points win over the much-travelled Qasim Hussain at Bedworth Civic Hall in June, writes Craig Birch.

But the confident Zaber, another product of the unlicensed circuit, believes that performance barely scratches the surface of what he can do.

He said: "I boxed well that night, kept tight, relied on my skills and got the win. It's all about getting rounds under my belt, at this stage, but I felt good in there.

"I'm a come forward fighter and I love a scrap but I can box, too. I'm capable on the back foot when I need to be and I want to show everyone what I can do in the ring.

"I want to be a world champion. If I didn't think that, I wouldn't be boxing. I want to go all the way to the top. I believe, one day, I will."

Tyson, the former world heavyweight champion, captured the imagination of fight fans with vicious punch ability and aggression, despite being a relatively small man in the division.

And Zaber said of him: "Growing up, I loved Tyson. The way he came forward and overpowered his opponents was unbelievable.

"I want to adopt the same style and shut up shop, as soon as possible. It doesn't matter who I fight. It's all about turning up on the night and doing my job right. That's all I can concentrate on."

The show's main event will see hometown hero Luke Paddock, from Bloxwich, makes his first defence of the Midlands light welterweight title against Andy Keates.

Zaber, Shropshire's Craig Morris and Gloucester's Scott Gibbins Jnr all appear on the under-card in four-round contests.

Tickets are available now priced £30 standard and £40 stage ringside by 07881 376 512.