FORMER Walcot amateur boxer Mark Reynolds will return to the ring in September at the ripe old age of 33.

Reynolds enjoyed a glittering career as an amateur but his next fight will be as a professional, having hung up his vest to team up with Swindon boxing promoter Keith Mayo.

As an amateur, Reynolds was a multiple winner of the Western Counties and was ranked fourth in England at his best. He will now bid to replicate that success in the sport’s paid ranks.

“I’m really excited,” said Reynolds. “It has been a long time coming but now I’m at the early end of my 30s and I feel the time is right.

“I was an amateur for 11 years before I broke my hand just when I was deciding to go professional “My right hand is a lot better now and I’m feeling good. It’s early days but so long as I put the work in in training hopefully my professional career can be as good as my amateur career.”

Reynolds isn’t making any grand predictions but admitted he wants to win a title as soon as possible. He also refused to rule out boxing into his 40s, saying: “I don’t know how long I have got but I want to fight as long as I can.

“I want to be busy and I’ll just take it each fight at a time.

“I’m looking at winning some sort of title but we’ll see how it goes.

“I’m easing into it but I’m feeling really good already. I’ve lost 10kg in just two months and, pending fitness, I don’t see why I can’t fight for many years to come.

“I’m looking at either cruiserweight or lightheavyweight but we’ll make that decision a bit later.

“At the heavier weights boxers go on for longer. Some go into their 40’s and I don’t see any reason why I can’t do that if everything goes according to plan.”

Reynolds, a fans’ favourite as an amateur, says he has already had a lot of interest in his comeback fight, which will be at the Oasis on Friday, September 13.

He added: “A lot of people have been asking about tickets already. I have a good fan base and they all got behind me as an amateur.

“In a way I think there will be a lot of pressure on my shoulders to perform for them come fight night.

“I want a challenging first fight so I can dust off the ring rust then we can step it up after that.”

Promoter and manager Mayo is excited to have signed Reynolds to the pro ranks, saying: “We’re not sure what he’ll be at yet but we’re looking at cruiserweight or light-heavy I expect.

“I followed his career as an amateur and he was exciting to watch. He has a good fan base and I’m confident he can be a success at professional level.”