EVERYTHING has gone to plan for St Joseph’s lightweight Lance Cooksey Jnr in boxing’s professional ranks so far.

The former Welsh amateur champion is pursuing a third consecutive win in Swansea tonight – he faces fellow new pro Naheem Chaudhry – to maintain an unblemished start in the paid code.

His first two victories, against Michael Mooney in May and Joe Beeden in July, also came in Wales’ second city.

Cooksey, 27, from Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan, has taken the switch from the amateurs in his stride and is loving being a part of trainer Tony Borg’s Newport stable.

Borg and Cooksey’s dad, also called Lance, used to box together for Wales in their younger days.

And Cooksey, who already has an eye on a possible Celtic title shot, is grateful to Lance Snr for introducing him to St Joes late last year.

“I knew of Tony before my dad took me down to the gym to have a chat with him,” he said.

“He is a big name in coaching and has got some top guys like Lee Selby under his wing.

“My dad was over the moon when I decided to turn pro and it’s going well so far.

“I’ve had a lot of support from family and friends, and without them it would have been a lot harder.

“Everything is going to plan. I’ve had two fights and two wins, and hopefully I’ll get another one this weekend.

“My ambition as a pro is to win titles and hopefully the next step is to be fighting for some sort of belt in 2018.”

He added: “Everyone has been fantastic at St Joseph’s, we’ve got a great stable there.

“There’s a good atmosphere and you can learn a lot from being around the other lads.”

As an amateur, Cooksey won schoolboy, youth and senior Welsh titles, a British youth crown, and also represented his country at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Tonight’s rival Chaudhry only made his pro debut last weekend, losing on points to Jeffrey Ofori at York Hall.