LOUGHTON-based heavyweight Paul Suitor steps into the ring for the first time as a professional when he faces journeyman Tony Booth at the York Hall on Saturday, May 13, writes Peter King.

The 27-year-old, who showed great promise when winning five national amateur titles with Newham ABC as well as fighting for England, returns to the sport after a three-year break.

Suitor claims that he is very hungry to make a real go of it in the paid-for ranks, although he knows he faces a tough opponent in 36-year-old Booth, from Hull, who has won 45 of his 144 fights.

The pair will meet on the undercard of the Kevin Mitchell, ngel Hugo Ramrez IBF Intercontinental Super Featherweight title fight and Suitor is certainly ready for action.

He said: "I can't wait to have my first pro fight now, and while on paper Tony Booth may look like a journeyman who is at the end of his career, he will be a tough opponent.

"He has so much experience and has been in with the likes of David Haye, so he isn't a mug by any means.

"He also rarely gets stopped so I will have to work hard, but I'm confident that I can win because I feel ready to make a real go of it in the pro ranks.

"The heavyweight division is wide open and there is talk that if I can do well I may get a shot at a Southern Area title. That was what encouraged me to get back into the sport, because I have been out of action for about three years after other things in my life took over.

"But I've got the real hunger for boxing and I'm confident that I wont show any signs of ring rust because I've been doing some really good sparring with people like Mark Potter and feel in great shape and ready to go."

For more information about tickets call Paul on 07958 615763.