DANNY Bharj believes that he has now got a harder test than his original fight when he makes his second appearance in the professional ranks next month.

The former England and Walcot amateur will face Ibrar Riyaz on Keith Mayo’s show at the GL1 Leisure Centre in Gloucester on September 12.

The light-welterweight was originally set to face durable veteran Matt Seawright, but now that Riyaz has stepped in Bharj is relishing the test.

“His last fight was against Gary Sykes, a former British (super-featherweight) champion, he has mixed it with some good company,” the 27-year-old said.

“We were meant to box Matt Seawright, but I think this guy, Ibrar Riyaz, is a lot better. He has been boxing a few 10 rounders.

“He has boxed for a few titles and he is a tough test for my second fight.”

Bharj, who made his debut in February with a points success over Dean Evans, was set to make his second appearance in the paid ranks in July at the Grange Drive Community Centre.

However, injuries to Ryan Martin and Kelvin Young meant that bill got cancelled.

And while the former junior ABA champion has had several false dawns since leaving the amateur ranks behind he was back in the gym preparing for next month’s bout after a short holiday.

“I was pretty gutted to be honest (when the July show got cancelled),” he said.

“A lot goes into a camp. Six weeks of training, making weight and dieting, so much hard work, it was deflating - but these things happen.

“I went on holiday - I thought that I was going to go away with a win and have nice break, so when I went away I didn’t really feel like I should be going.

“I had a good time, a good rest and came back and got straight back in the gym ready for the September show in Gloucester.”

For this contest Bharj will have Richard Farnan in his corner instead of Islan Eltuyev, who was unavailable for the start of the training camp.

“He (Farnan) has brought in a lot of stuff that has taken lot of getting used to but I’m feeling the benefit from it” he added.

“We are doing strength and conditioning in the mornings – they are really hard explosive sessions, with hill sprints, and then the boxing in the evenings - it is going really well.”

Tickets for the show in Gloucester are priced £35 unreserved or £60 ringside. For more information visit www.kmpromotions.co.uk