DANIEL Barton becomes the latest fighter from Newport to try his luck in boxing’s professional ranks tonight, and he is eager to put on a show in front of his own fans.

The 26-year-old makes his debut in a four-round super-middleweight contest against southpaw Jacob Lucas on the undercard of the Sanigar Events ‘Acid Test’ show at the Newport Centre.

A regional account manager for a finance company based in Langstone, Barton served an apprenticeship in the amateurs before turning pro.

The former Welsh novice champion and Wales international switched gyms to St Joseph’s at the age of 20 and hasn’t looked back since.

“It’s the gym of Newport,” said Barton. “Anyone around Newport who boxes or knows about boxing has been associated with that gym.

“When I was going to amateur shows, if St Joseph’s boxers were there they were the boys you feared. You knew they were taught well and were tough boys.

“They always had the advantage because the gym is spoilt for sparring.”

He added: “I had to leave my previous gym because I just wasn’t getting any fights.

“I continued to train but had nearly three years without competing, that’s when I really missed it.

“I went to a proper gym in St Joseph’s but was overweight and got beat up in sparring – it was a wake-up call.

“I went there on a Sunday morning not knowing that was when all the professionals trained. I was out of my depth. I was in deep water and forced to swim.”

Six years later and Barton is now dreaming of going all the way to a British title.

Looking ahead to tonight’s fight, he said: “I’m really excited. I expect to be nervous, but something would be wrong if I didn’t feel like that.

“I’m absolutely buzzing, I’ve sold a lot of tickets, and a lot of people are coming to support me.

“I want to make sure everything goes to plan and I put on a good show.”