‘BIG’ Ben Harding hopes to deliver a knock-out blow when he goes toe-to-toe with Preston’s Howard Daley for the second time in his fledgling professional career.

The Swindon heavyweight will be one of the star attractions at next month’s “The Professionals are Back,” when he plans to end the contest inside the distance.

Harding and Daley contested a hard-fought draw back in February and the home town hero believes the fans can look forward to another close encounter.

“Daley is a tough lad. He’s a bit shorter than me, but he’s very strong and he just keeps coming,” Harding said. “Big Ben needs to get a big knockout. That’s the only way you get recognised in the heavyweights.

“I’ve really enjoyed it since turning pro, from the training to the build-up to the fights.

“It’s great to be back in Swindon because it means family and friends can come to watch.

“There will be three local lads, with myself, Coxy and Marlon Reid, so it would be nice if the Swindon crowd got behind us and cheered us on to three wins.”

Super Middleweight Reid is making his professional debut following his decision to quit the amateur game in June. And though he’s not predicting a knock-out against first opponent Mark Phillips, Reid is determined to put on a show for the fans.

He said: “I don’t want to go in all guns blazing. Professional boxing is not like that. I just want to put on a good display and hopefully start my pro career with a win.

“Ricky Porter promoted pro boxing in Swindon many years ago and it’s good to have it back.

“When I was an amateur boxing for England, there were people who couldn’t support me when I boxed abroad, but now I am fighting in my home town. My opponent Mark Phillips is a keen guy, so I will get in the best shape I can and hopefully I will be too good for him.”