FORMER amateur star Joshua John can’t wait to make his professional bow tonight after enduring a stressful few months resulting from a routine brain scan.

The 24-year-old featherweight is one of two St Joseph’s fighters who are ready to enter the ring for the first time in the paid code at the LC2 in Swansea.

John, a Welsh and British champion in the amateurs, is set to take on Nicaraguan Jose Aguilar (16-64-5) in a four-round bout on the Sanigar Events show.

Port Talbot native John, who also medalled at the Youth Commonwealth Games, had hoped to make his pro debut in June.

However, the British Boxing Board of Control weren’t happy with the results of a brain scan and John was pulled from a promotion in Merthyr Tydfil.

“Basically, I had a brain scan in April and was meant to be fighting in June,” said Tony Borg-trained John.

“Four days before the show I found out I couldn’t box.

“I was gutted about not fighting because I’d trained flat out for six months. I was on weight, I was fit, and I’d sold all my tickets.

“I’d sold £6,500 worth of tickets and had to give all that back.

“I wasn’t sure if I’d box again because I didn’t know what was wrong, but we went to see a specialist and she said everything was okay.

“She said the white dots that came up on the scan were normal, everyone has got them.

“Then we had to wait for the Board’s doctor to sign off on it, and he didn’t do that until two weeks ago, so I didn’t want to sell tickets for Friday until it was confirmed.”

He added: “It was very stressful during that time.

“I tried training before I fully knew I was fighting and just kept thinking ‘what if I’m not boxing?’

“I was sparring and couldn’t concentrate on anything. But I’m feeling great and it’s very exciting knowing I’m eventually going to make my debut.

“I haven’t been in the ring for a year and a bit so I will be nervous walking out, and on top of that it’s near my hometown and on TV.”

John started boxing at Fairfield ABC, now Briton Ferry ABC, when he was 10.

He made a somewhat inauspicious start to his fighting career before going on to shine on the big stage at home and abroad.

Still training with original coach Pappy Jones three times a week when not in Newport, John has high hopes for the future.

“I got into boxing when I was 10,” he said. “A gym opened opposite my house and me and my friends joined, and I was the only one out of about 30 who stuck at it.

“I lost my first five amateur fights, won the sixth, and then lost the next five. Then I became Welsh junior champion and things started getting serious from there – I didn’t lose many after that.

“But I was getting just one fight a year and only fighting in the Welsh Championships when one or two people were entering my weight.

“I told Pappy I wanted to turn pro, he sent Tony (Borg) a message, I did a session at St Joes and liked it, met all the boys and we’re all close friends now.”

He continued: “My goal is the same as everyone, to be a world champion. That’s what I’m hoping, and I believe I can be one.”