Boxer Beattie is all set for showdown at Bellahouston and eyeing a belt bid

The 24-year-old lightweight, who trains at Kilsyth’s Golden Gloves gym, will take on Kris Laight from Nuneaton in a four round contest at Bellahouston Sports Centre in Glasgow on February 27.

Beattie, one of four shortlisted nominees ,for the Falkirk herald’s pro Sports Star of the Year award at next month’s Falkirk Sports Council awards trains five nights a week at the Kilsyth gym, although he has been preparing for his pro bow in the more exotic surroundings of Los Angeles - at the gym of Freddie Roach, coach to the legendary world champion Manny Pacquiao.

He decided to turn professional last year after winning the Haringey Cup - referrred to as the ‘Champions League’ of boxing - in June.

He admitted: “I could have perhaps gone a bit further at amateur level but I felt it was the right time to turn professional.

“I think that my style is better suited to professional boxing. I am very dedicated and have good fitness and stamina levels for the longer fights but I think the scoring in professional fights will suit me better.

“Amateur fights are all about point scoring whereas in professional bouts there’s more emphasis on ring control and I think those kind of tactics suit me more as a fighter, rather than hit and run.”

Beattie is pleased with his preparations as he looks to fulfil what has always been his ambition.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to it. As soon as you set foot in a ring - at least it was for me - then turning professional is your aim.

“I have been working hard for the past 10 weeks and spent six weeks over Christmas in LA.

“It was the second time I have been out there, I was there in July, and it’s a massive experience for me not just for this fight but for my career.

“It was great to be able to concentrate purely on boxing and hopefully I will get the benefits of that.”

Beattie admits he doesn’t know a great deal about opponent Laight - preferrring to leave any detailed analysis to his coaches - but hopes the bout will be the first step towards fighting for a Scottish title next year.

He said: “These guys tend to be experienced journeymen but I prefer to concentrate on my own performance.

“First of all you have to build up your record and the lightweight division is notoriously deep so it might take a bit longer to get into title contention.

“But I think going for a Scottish title after nine or 10 fights is well within my grasp.

“If I can get five or six fights under my belt this year then hopefully we’d be looking at going for a title towards the end of next year.”

Tickets for the Bellahouston fight night are available from Ticketmaster.