John Connelly has vowed to show Birmingham what he's really about this week.
The 27-year-old goes into his four-rounder with Earl's Court-based South African Bheki Moyo on Friday [March 16], on a Dave Coldwell-promoted bill at the Second City's New Bingley Hall, having split his first two paid outings.
Surprisingly, though, it's not the defeat that the Brummie [pictured] portsider is most disappointed about - it's his debut victory.
Connelly edged past game same-city survivor Sid Razak on his pro bow at Edgbaston's Tower Ballroom in September [39-38], but conceded a combination of nerves and a build-up of 48 months-worth of rust tarnished what should have been a night to celebrate.
Subsequently, he's taken a last-minute four-rounder on the road, losing on points [39-37] to unbeaten Huddersfield-born Mancunian Marvin Greaves at Oldham Sports Centre three weeks ago, and though he surrendered his unbeaten record that night has made a breakthrough.
Far from his maiden blemish being a negative for the Jon Pegg-handled light-welterweight-cum-welterweight, who accepted the call to arms in Greater Manchester the night before, it's actually turned out to be a positive.
Connelly, a former solider who served in Iraq, is adamant that the defeat has taught him more about professional boxing than his solitary win did - and plans on using this new-found knowledge to his advantage in front of a packed local crowd in the Jewellery Quarter in just over two days time.
"Even though i won my debut, it wasn't a great night for me," confessed the 42-bout unpaid performer [Ironworks ABC] from the Northfield area of the city. "I went from not boxing for four years to turning up at the [Midland Boxing Academy] gym and then fighting Razak three months later.
"I was so tense that night and that's not me at all. In truth, the occasion got to me and it was disappointing to only just about get by on points when i knew i had the ability to win with more comfort. But i feel more relaxed this time and looking forward to showing my city what i can really do when i'm on form.
"A lot of that has to do with the last-minute job i accepted last month," he continued. "Although i lost by a couple of rounds and it was a fair result, i felt the pressure was off and it's calmed me down.
"I like a challenge and, after Friday, if Jon came to me with another fight away from Birmingham then i'd take. It's important for me to learn my trade, whether that's fights at home or on the road, and when the time comes from me to challenge for a title then i'll be ready to take it."
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