RYAN Martin admits that he has taken a big risk in giving up his day job as he looks to fulfil his dreams in boxing.

The former England and Walcot amateur will step into the ring for just the third time in the paid ranks on Friday night on the World Awaits show at the Oasis Leisure Centre when he goes toe-to-toe with the durable Kevin McCauley.

However, midway through this training camp, the 20-year-old welterweight took the decision to leave his job as a graphic and web designer to concentrate on his boxing.

“It is a big risk to take coming away from full time work,” Martin told the Advertiser.

“I was doing graphic design and web design, which doesn’t sound stressful, but when you are training in the morning and the evening as well as sitting in front of a computer all day it is draining.

“I always knew that this decision was inevitable, it was finding the right time to do it, but it never seemed like the right time so I had to just go for it and hope for the best.”

During this camp, Martin has spent time in Newport sparring with the IBF mandatory challenger for the featherweight world title Lee Selby, as well as undefeated lightweight prospect Craig Evans.

“They are two class guys, they put me through my paces and they hit hard - it is brilliant training with the best in Britain – there is nothing better than that.

“The advice (from Selby) is in the shots that he is catching me with - that is a much as a lesson he can teach.

“Sparring with him is a much as a lesson as you can get and I want to get up there as much as possible.”

Having endured a frustrating first 12 months in the pro ranks due to a hand injury, Martin is hoping that this is the year to kick-start his career.

And while he knows there is a risk of taking too many fights because he is now no longer working, Martin wants to stay busy.

“I want to be eight and zero by the end of the year,” he said. “This (giving up the day job) has given me an added incentive in every fight.

“If I look after myself, look after my hands there shouldn’t be any problems.”

Meanwhile, there will be a public weigh-in for Eamonn O’Kane and Luke Watkins for their clashes with Ferenc Hafner and Jeno Markhot respectively at the Oasis Leisure Centre on Thursday night 7pm.