Kieran Leinster is six fights from becoming a fully fledged boxing professional and wants to start that run as he means to go on tonight, with victory at boxing’s most historic venue.

The 23-year-old English literature graduate steps into the ring at York Hall tonight to contest the UK Boxing Union’s British middleweight title, having quit the Queensbury Boxing League earlier this year.

The Teddington-based fighter, who has a 14-1 winning record after losing his last outing, has lined up six fights this year with the view to hitting the big league in 2016.

Former St Mary’s University student Leinster will fight Khaliq Miah over six rounds in the first of those bouts and is keen to put his Queensbury exit behind him.

“The Queensbury shows are professional and they have coverage on British Europsort, but the management and promoters there had a disagreement and we went our separate ways,” he said.

“There was nothing I could do about. I still get on with the team there and would not rule out going back if the deal was right.”

He added: Now I want to put it behind me. Six more fights will take me past the 20 mark that I think you need to have under your belt to step in to the big fights.

“I lost my last fight and was really not happy about it, so I have plenty to prove.

“I cannot wait to fight at York Hall it is going to be a great atmosphere and experience. It is the home of British boxing. “Khaliq is a slick boxer who fights off the back foot and I think it will be a good test for me. A test I am hoping to pass.”

Fitness First personal trainer Leinster currently boxers at middleweight, but sees his future as a light middleweight in time.

“There is definitely an opportunity at light middleweight for me and that is where I see my pro career heading,” he added.

“Queensbury had same day weigh-ins so I had to be middleweight on the day of the fight.

"But in the future I’ll be able to make the lower light middleweight and then power up for the fight.

“I’m really keen to make a career as a fighter and see this as my big chance.”

On the same bill at York Hall is Richmond-based fighter Chris Davies, who will be hoping to successfully defend his UKBU light heavyweight crown.

The Virgin Active, Twickenham, fitness instructor is hoping to turn pro later this year with a 21-fight unbeaten record.