Thomas Loach getting ready to go again

Loach returns to Walsall Hall Town Hall, where he outpointed Ali Wyatt on his paid bow two months ago, for Saturday's fight night.

The 24-year-old welterweight works for Severn Trent and is used to juggling his job with the water company around his boxing, writes Craig Birch.

He first laced up the gloves when he was 11 and had a long amateur career, representing Wednesbury Boxing Academy.

This time he takes on Jerral Spencer, himself taking part in his maiden pro bout, and Loach is determined to build on his winning start.

He said: "Hopefully, this fight will just take me upwards and further on. If I get a good result, it can set me up for a great year in 2017.

"It felt unreal to get the win in September. I had been waiting for it for so long and to finally get in there and get the win on my professional debut was fantastic.

"It made all the hard work more than worth it. The plan now is just to box as much as possible, keep busy and keep working my way up the ladder.

"I was happy enough with my performance on my debut. I thought it was a good start and something I can build on in the future.

"There is definitely a lot more than that to come from me, though. I was quite nervous, but now I can fully relax in my next fight and I think my performance will benefit from that.

"I gained a lot of experience that I will take that into the next one and, hopefully, improve again."

Loach is one of many pro boxers juggling a full-time job around his training, but believes his hard work will pay off in the end.

He said: "I am still working everyday like I was in the amateurs. It's even harder now I am a professional, but I don't mind.

"I have such a motivation to make it work, so I will never give up no matter how much I have to do. I'm training longer, on more days and doing different stuff, but I love it and I am enjoying myself.

"I know that, when it gets tough in my career, I will be able to deal with it, dig in and get through it. I've had to sacrifice a lot to do what I am doing, so I know I will be able to cope."

Top of the Town Hall bill will see Manny Zaber, from Old Hill, and Josh Baillie contest the vacant British Challenge super featherweight title over eight rounds.

Four other support contests will support the main event, with Walsall's Martin Gethin and Zach Parker featuring in six-rounders.

Former Midlands, English and British lightweight boss Gethin resumes his campaign at super lightweight, against former English title challenger Liam Richards.

Parker, who was named Best Newcomer at the British Boxing Board of Control Midlands area's annual awards, now takes on the never-stopped Adam Jones.

Wolverhampton's Josh Burke will be looking to move into position for the vacant Midlands cruiserweight title, with another win in one of three four-rounders including Loach's outing.

Chasetown's Luke Jones is targeting a hat-trick of pro wins with his first Town Hall appearance, at the expense of the busy Joe Beeden.

Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 ringside, are on still sale from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900. The show is sponsored by Grosvenor Casino Walsall.

The casino, on Bentley Mill Way, will host the weigh-in and after-show party (over 18s). A number of free cars from Yellow Taxis will go from the fight venue to the function.