Weston-super-Mare boxer Louis Merreywether has announced his decision to move on from the amateur ranks of the sport and into the world of professional boxing.
Merreywether, aged only 23, embarks on his professional boxing journey on Saturday in Swindon and holds big ambitions for his professional career having fought 30 times as an amateur.
“My dream is to box in Las Vegas and I believe I'll do it, I believe one day I can fight for world titles.
"I want to be the first fighter from Weston to win a professional title.
"No one from Weston has won a title in the pro-ranks and I believe I can be the first," says the Weston-Super-Mare prospect, who understands the work required to reach the pinnacle of the sport after years of training with the Weston Warriors, the same club that newly crowned British champion Ash Lane trains with.
"Everyday I just want to get one percent better and move towards my goals," he says, "If I stay dedicated, I believe one day I'll make it to the top of the sport.
"I'm a nobody at the moment in boxing, so I need to stay humble and stay dedicated, I need to push my way up the rankings then I can think about titles.
"I started boxing when I was 15 years old because I wanted to be the best, and everyday I'm training to be the best."
As a teenager Merreywether first discovered his love for boxing, and at the same time found the type of focus he lacked at school.
"I was a bit naughty and I was out of school by year ten," says the Somerset fighter.
“It was for a mixture of reasons, but the final straw was when I accidentally egged a teacher.”
Boxing gyms can often offer young people, particularly those as mischievous as Merreywether, direction, discipline and a positive outlet for their energy.
Like many teenagers throughout the country, Merreywether has benefited from the supportive environment at his local club and speaks fondly of the bond him and his team have.
He says: "At the boxing gym you have people you can trust and as soon as I found Dean Lewis my trainer, we clicked straight away.
"It's family orientated at my club Weston Warriors, we all travel to shows together and even now I'm still involved in the amateur scene and we all stick together."
Merreywether is certainly one to watch and the popular 23-year-old will bring over 80 supporters to his professional debut on Saturday night, April 13th.
"I've got my little town behind me,” he says, “I've got their support, you need that at the start of your career and it means a lot to me.
“I'm really excited to get the professional journey off to a winning start.”
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