LEDBURY boxer Alex Florence says he feels in peak physical condition ahead of his fight against Ibrar Riyaz at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday.

The unbeaten 20-year-old has won his first two professional bouts and managed to send the durable Liam Richards to the canvas in his last fight.

But, having struggled with illness in the lead-up to the clash with Richards, Florence says he is keen to show his true colours in BCB Promotions’ ‘You Asked For It!’ show.

“I am feeling really good,” he said.

“This is the best camp I have had so far. I was ill in the middle of both of my last camps so fitness-wise I am feeling even better this time.

“Richards is a durable fighter so it was a confidence boost being able to send him to the canvas.

“A lot of the lads in the gym have boxed him and they haven’t been able to put him down so I was very happy with that, especially as I switched stances when I did it too.

“I was happy with how that went. But I was struggling with a chest infection at the time and that was the reason I couldn’t follow up a lot of my shots.

“Hopefully this time I will be feeling healthy and I can look more impressive.”

Despite being from Herefordshire, Florence feels at home in Walsall Town Hall and is enjoying being part of the team at BCB-Boxing.

“I want to take the work-rate up this time around,” he said.

“In the last two I was relaxed and I settled down in my boxing because I didn’t have the best camp with being ill.

“But as long as nothing goes wrong in this camp then I want to pick up the work-rate and apply more pressure while still keeping relaxed.

"If I can put that all together then it will be a good performance.

“My first fight was in Swindon and I was the only lad there that was with (BCB’s head of boxing) Errol Johnson.

“When I am boxing at the town hall I am in the changing room with everybody I know and I feel a lot more comfortable and confident when my stablemates are around.

“I don’t mind the travelling. I had to do it a lot as an amateur so I am used to it.

"Walsall isn’t too far away so I am happy to make the journey and I enjoyed it there last time out.

“It doesn’t affect me not fighting at home and I really like the venue. It is one of the better ones I have boxed in and you get a good vibe being there.”

Florence is coached by his dad Fred and says he wants to put everything he has learnt with him into the ring.

“My dad is still training me on the days I am not up in Wednesbury with Errol,” Florence added.

“It is a plus and a negative at the same time.

“He never shuts off and he is always demanding the best of me.

“But he is very good and is a lot more accurate than other people.

“He wants the best for his son and is so dedicated to helping me so it is great to have him there.

“He is definitely on my case a lot more than other coaches would be but that helps me with my development and improving.”