While local hero Paul McCloskey will be looking to be crowned European Light Welterweight Champion at the Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt on Friday night the undercard will feature a new heavyweight hopeful taking the first steps in his professional career.

At the age of 33, David “Hardway” Hanna is unlikely to be referred to as a young gun in the heavyweight division but the Lisburn native will make his pro debut believing that he still has plenty of time to fulfil his boxing ambitions.

Hanna’s boxing career was postponed by athletic ambitions of another kind but now the Harry Hawkins trained fighter says he’s ready to make his mark on the professional game.

“I started boxing when I was a kid at around 9 or 10,” revealed Hanna. “I started out around the same time as Brian Magee. He’s always been a great friend of mine and we joined the local boxing club at around the same time.

"I drifted from boxing a bit though eventually and concentrated on athletics instead. I was a decent javelin thrower and was th... Full Boxing Article here...