Aroon Fiaz ready to make history tonight

Fiaz will first punch for pay on promoter Tommy Owens' show in the Holte Suite at Aston Villa Football Club tonight,

The 23-year-old is a graduate of Wellington Boxing Academy where his dad Mo, with the family of Pakistan origin, is head coach.

'Harry' will turn over against the burly James Conroy in a four-round super middleweight contest that's third on the card.

Fiaz credits his uncle Malik Hussain and Telford's former WBC world super middleweight champion Richie Woodhall as the main influences on his career, alongside his father.

Hussain has played a role in his fitness regime since he started boxing at age 13 while Woodhall, who is still president of Wellington BA, has been helping him get ready for the pros.

It's a switch that has been two years in the making, with Fiaz content to wait until he could put on the bulk that makes him muscular at the weight.

He said: "I've been wanting to do this and the time is right now. I've matured as a fighter and filled out as a man.

"This is a tough opponent for my first one, but I just can't wait to get in there. I'm a boxer, I don't tend to get into a brawl.

"If he comes for that, he'll get my jab in his face all night. If he makes a mistake, I want to make sure I'm there to punish him.

"I'm determined to make a name for myself and send out a statement, as soon as possible. I dream of being a major champion one day.

"After 10 fights, I want to be looking at a Midlands title and then Commonwealth, British, European and maybe even a world belt.

"If you've not got those ambitions, there's no point in doing it. I didn't come into the game to be a journeyman, I won't go out as one."

Fiaz, who works as an office administrator for Wellington BA sponsors TTS Storage, twice reached the old senior ABA national semi-finals as an amateur.

He left the unpaid scene behind after 56 bouts, with 43 wins and 10 by stoppage. He now also trains out of coach Jon Pegg's pro gym in Birmingham.

One of his sparring partners for this fight night has been Daniel Breeze, himself a former national amateur champion and reigning British Challenge middleweight titlist.

He'll defend the strap for the first time against Natty Howell in an eight-rounder elsewhere on the bill, a battle for the belt that has got West Midlands fight fans talking.

Fiaz said: "I've not seen much of Natty, so it would be unfair for me to pick a winner. All I know he's a fit lad with a good work rate.

"I can tell you 'Breezy' is looking good. Looking at him, you'd expect him to be the sort of opponent that's just on you, but there's more to him than that.

"He's quite clever and can pick you off from distance and he knows how to put his shots together. His pedigree could be a big advantage."