PROSPECT Lewis Roberts says he nearly flew over to Mexico in order to kick-start his boxing career when he was a teenager as he prepares to make his debut this month.

Roberts, who is managed by Mark Neilson of Neilson Boxing, has had to wait longer than most to make his professional debut.

The 19-year-old was set to make his induction to the pro-ranks in April of last year, shortly after his 18th birthday, but saw that plan put on hold due to the pandemic.

Over 18-months later, the Swindon fighter is now ready to step through the ropes for the first time on Saturday, November 20 on Neilson Boxing’s Fight Town show at the MECA.

Roberts first laced up a pair of boxing gloves when he was six-years-old and has trained at Paddy’s Fitzpatrick’s gym ever since, and the youngster revealed it was Fitzpatrick who suggested he could travel to Mexico to gain some experience while he waited to make his official debut back when he was 16-years-old.

However, after giving it some thought, Roberts opted to stay in England and he believes the patience will pay off and show in his performance.

“We’d always planned on turning professional as early as we possibly could really, we’d even toyed with the idea of going to Mexico - that was a bit of a wild idea,” he said.

“Just after my 18th birthday I’d finished all the paperwork to be a professional boxer, I did my medical and then everything got shut down.

“It was frustrating, but in the back of my mind I knew how young I was and I didn’t have to rush anything.

“I’m a lot more experienced now than I was a year or so ago. I’ve got a better boxing brain, I’ve learned so much about myself and my boxing during lockdown. After everything, I’m in a great place.”

Roberts will join fellow Swindon-stars Luke Watkins and unbeaten prospect Jensen Irving on the bill, as the MECA gears up for another live fight night.

Promoter Neilson said: “If you’re a boxing fan in Swindon, the chances are you have already heard of Lewis as he’s been active in the sport for a long time now, despite only being 19-years-old.

“We’ve been blessed with a production line of talent in the town over recent times, with Jamie Cox, Luke Watkins and Ryan Martin, and I see Lewis as the next generation of that.”