LYDNEY soldier Lewis Van Poetsch is swapping war-torn Afghanistan for the boxing ring next month to make his professional fight debut.

Van Poetsch makes his pro debut on the undercard to his good friend Chris Higgs, who fights for the International Masters Welterweight title on Friday November 23 at the GL1 Leisure Centre in Gloucester.

Van Poetsch – or Poochie to his friends – says waiting to make his pro boxing debut is just as daunting as a tour of Afghanistan.

"It's going to be awesome," he said.

"It's tough in Afghanistan but I'm under no illusions that it's tough in the boxing ring too.

"In Afghanistan you have to watch where you put your feet all the time but in the ring I'm going to have to watch where I put my head. If I'm not wary of where I put my head then I could be in trouble.

"In Afghanistan you are looking to get there, do your job, and come out unscathed. In boxing it's the same really."

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