WHILE Andrew Selby bids to take the next step in his seemingly inexorable march towards a world title challenge at Wembley Arena tonight, a Pontypool boxer will be starting out on his journey in the professional game in slightly less salubrious surroundings.

The vacant IBF Inter-Continental flyweight crown is on the line in North London as Selby, in only his seventh fight since turning pro, takes on Jake Bornea of the Philippines on a Cyclone Promotions show headlined by George Groves.

Some 120 miles away, at Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier, Kieran Gething makes his debut in the paid ranks against 37-year-old journeyman Kevin McCauley, who will be climbing into the ring for the 150th time – he has gone 88 fights without a win.

Like British champion Selby, Abergavenny-born Gething enjoyed a successful amateur career, winning multiple national titles, claiming honours on the international stage and captaining his country.

Tonight is, of course, a big chance for the 22-year-old to impress, although it will also be a poignant occasion.

Gething’s dad, Gary, who coached his son and was a former Welsh amateur champion himself before turning professional in 1986, died in February 2014 at the age of 54.

A popular and respected trainer at Pontypool Boxing Club, he passed on his love for the sport to his two sons, while his grandfathers and father were also boxers.

“My dad would be very proud of me,” said Gething. “I will have a lot of family at the fight and they’ve all been saying I’m doing my dad proud.”

Managed by Paul Boyce, Gething, whose younger brother Connor coaches the Welsh squad, might have kept fighting as an amateur, but with some important events in his life on the horizon he felt it was time to make the switch.

“I’ve got a fiancée and a mortgage, and a baby on the way in January, so it wasn’t financially viable to stay amateur,” he added.

“My contract with Paul came through about three months ago and I could’ve had a fight in London before the season ended in August, but I think Paul wanted to look after me a bit first.

“I’m going to be at light-middleweight for my debut but welterweight when I fight for championships. As long as my first two fights go well I might see if I can get a Welsh title fight next year. Ultimately it’s that big green WBC belt that I want.”

Also coached in his younger days by Mark James, Gething, now mentored by Lyndon James, says he could be back in action in Bristol on December 17.