AS one Swindon female boxer closes in on a world title, another is looking to dip her toe into professional boxing waters.

Taking inspiration from WBC Silver middleweight champion Kelly Morgan, mother of four Bec Connolly is ready to follow in her footsteps by becoming one of only a handful of licenced female boxers in the UK.

Training out of Paddy Fitzpatrick’s gym on Ferndale Road, Connolly has been fighting for the past four years, starting out in the Swindon white collar scene in 2012.

After two years on the unlicensed circuit, the 32-year-old switched to the amateur fight game for 12 months in 2014 before heading on to the London prizefighter scene last year.

But having seen 36-year-old Morgan close in on her dreams of becoming a professional world champion, Connolly is hoping to make her debut within the next 12 months.

“I started boxing four years ago,” Connolly said. “I started out doing a bit of white collar for charity and it went from there.

“When I turned amateur, I started to think that I was too old, that no-one would touch me, but seeing Kelly come through – it has inspired me.

“I’m 32 and she is older than me, so I thought that I could give it a go.”

Guiding Connolly in the professional arena will be Fitzpatrick, who trains undefeated cruiserweight Luke Watkins and light-heavyweight prospects Sam Smith and David Bailey.

The Irish coach is no stranger to being on the female side of the sport, having trained Muhammad Ali’s daughter Laila.

“What that man doesn’t know (about boxing) isn’t worth knowing,” Connolly said.

“I trust him 100 per cent – there is no-one else I’d rather have in may corner.

“The gym has been great place to be with the likes of Luke and Sniper (Smith). Everyone looks up to them.

“The youngsters look at people like that and think they have trained alongside them and been in the amateurs with them."

All abilities and fitness levels are welcome to try their hand at the kind of training that takes place in a boxing gym, with Connolly and a team-mate holding a demonstration at the end of the session and also handing out free juice samples from her business, Organic Roots Juicing.

For more information, contact Fitzpatrick’s Gym on 01793 336072.