AFTER the birth of his second child just six weeks ago, welterweight Jensen Irving says his family is a huge motivation behind him pursuing a boxing career.

The 30-year-old enjoyed a faultless opening year in the professional ranks last year, winning all three of his fights.

As he prepares to stretch his record to 4-0 next month, when he fights on Neilson Boxing’s Fight Town IV card, Irving says he and his family have adjusted well to his new life as a professional boxer despite having to juggle work, training and his newest arrival.

“I’m non-stop. I probably sit down for 10-15 minutes between getting up, going to work and then getting home and going to the gym,” said Irving, who paid tribute to his partner for allowing him to focus on his boxing career.

“I’ve just had another new-born, he’s six weeks old now so it really is non-stop for me and my family.

“I wouldn’t be able to do it without my partner, she’s juggling everything at home while I got to work at 6am then I come in and go to the gym.

“So without her, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing at the moment.

“Family is a huge motivation for me because I want to provide for them. At the same time I want my children to look up at me and say they’re proud of their dad.

“If my children can one day say that their dad was a professional boxer who won this or this, then that would put a smile on my face.”

Irving joins a host of local talent on Neilson Boxing show, which is taking place on Saturday 18 April at The MECA, as Ryan Martin, Bradley Townsend, Phil Williams and Bec Connolly are all set to feature.

Since turning professional, the welterweight has been looking to make fast progress despite his relative inexperience.

Irving, who is trained by Swindon-based trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick, says he firmly believes he has what it takes to compete at domestic level, if not further.

“Within boxing I definitely want to get to British level, my hopes and dreams are sort of set at a British title at the moment,” he said.

“At the same time, deep down in the back of my mind I believe I could go even further than that as well.

“There is definitely a fine balance between moving quickly and making sure I get enough experience under my belt.

“We don’t want to take too long before jumping into the deep-end but I feel like I’m ready for it.”