BARNSLEY has a new professional boxer and he is looking to follow in the footsteps of his friend Callum Simpson.
Blaine Wilson, 20, from Shafton, is due make his professional debut on Saturday against Harley Marginson at Oldham Leisure Centre.
Wilson has spent most of his life kick-boxing, winning English, British, European and world titles in that sport as a junior.
He works as a kick-boxing trainer at Combat Academy in Barnsley but has decided to move into professional boxing.
He said: “I was kickboxing from the age of eight.
“I won a lot of titles and competed abroad in places like Germany and Italy.
“But I always loved boxing and, when I got to 18 or 19 which is when you can turn professional, I wanted to go over to boxing. I would like to go all the way to the top.”
Wilson is planning to fight at super-featherweight in the future but will make his debut at lightweight.
His opponent Marginson has lost all nine professional fights but only been stopped once.
“I have sold about 120 tickets which is wicked support.
“I want to put a show on and make a statement.
“It would be great to stop him but we will see how it goes.”
Wilson is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Simpson who regularly fights on Sky Sports and is aiming to win a British title in the coming months, with talk of a fight at Barnsley FC’s Oakwell.
“I know Callum quite well.
“I am coming up behind him and hoping to have the success he has had.
“He’s fighting at a high level and he’s got loads of fans.
“We’ve both got the same manager.
“I would love to be on his undercard on Oakwell.”
