GAVIN Rees charge Jake Tinklin is like a kid at Christmas as he waits with bated breath to make his professional debut on Saturday night.

The 21-year-old light-welterweight from Risca enters the ring for the first time in the paid code on the Sanigar Events bill at the Newport Centre.

The former amateur ace tackles Englishman Ricky Rose (3-9-1), who has failed to win any of his last 10 bouts after starting his career with three straight successes.

“I can’t wait for my first one,” said Tinklin. “It has all been building up to this.

“It’s going to be a big show and there will be a lot more people there than in the amateurs.”

Boxing is popular among Tinklin and his five siblings with brothers and sisters spread across former world champion Rees’ Pantside ABC gym and Cwmcarn ABC just down the road.

“My dad was always telling me to go up the gym (Cwmcarn), so I had a go when I was 13 and never stopped,” he added.

“It came naturally to me, I found I was good at it, and I had some success with Gary Butcher as my trainer.

“I moved gyms and was then waiting for the right time to turn pro.”

Tinklin knows all he feels he needs to know about 28-year-old Kent resident Rose.

“He’s had about 12 fights, but there’s no point looking at a fighter online because they will always fight differently against you,” he said.

“I’m a boxer rather than a fighter.

“Sometimes I come forward when I need to, but I can also box on the back foot and stand and trade with an opponent.”

Stockport-born Rose’s last contest was only two weekends ago when he lost on points to Scotland’s Martin Taylor.

Unfortunately, Tinklin won’t be joined on Saturday’s bill by Ebbw Vale’s European champion Ashley Brace, who was originally listed among those appearing at the Newport Centre.