A SOUTHAMPTON boxer who sold his cafe to fulfil a lifelong dream of becoming a professional is one fight away from fighting for the national title.

Ricky Little, who owned and managed The Bridgeway Cafe, takes on Jack Hughes in a bid to win the Southern Area super flyweight title at York Hall, and a shot at the English honour afterwards.

The 26-year-old aims to emulate Southampton's most successful boxer Steve McCarthy, who won the British title in 1990.

And after ditching the cafe, Little's dreams remain on course.

He said: "I’ve always said that It’s been my dream to win the British and this fight sends me in that direction.

"My mind is fully focused on the fight at York Hall at the moment though.

"But fighting in Southampton is something that appeals to me, I’ve had two fights in Southampton and it’s something that means a lot to me. I was meant to have a fight this year at the Guildhall, but sadly it fell through.

"I’m sure there are going to be opportunities for me to fight in Southampton very soon."

Little's opponent boasts the same record as him with five wins and one defeat in his career to date.

It's a world away from the days of opening his cafe, after starting his catering career in 2013 by running a burger van.

“Jack wrote to me on Instagram saying it would be a good for me and him to fight for the title," Little said.

He called me out, so obviously I jumped at the chance at a title shot. Steve Goodwin contacted me and I agreed to the fight, It’s a huge opportunity for me to progress my career."

The fight takes place on Saturday night.

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