Hot prospect Joe Pigford’s fighting career is to step up earlier than planned as he tries to get rounds under his belt.

The 20-year-old Southampton welterweight has created something of a stir in the local boxing community after a fantastic start to his professional career.

Pigford has easily bombed out his first two opponents and is actually struggling to find anyone who wants to fight him as he prepares for his next bout at Winchester Guildhall on Saturday, June 8.

Fighters in the early stages of their pro career often face a series of journeymen over four rounds to get a feel for things and to establish themselves, and a winning record, on the scene.

However, there is a reluctance on behalf of most four-round fighters to take on the well supported Pigford without an over the top payment for their services because they fear the likelihood of a stoppage defeat.

It has led Pigford’s camp to make the bold move of stepping him up to a six-round contest already in a bid to try and find a better quality of opponent who will firstly take the fight and then actually give him the rounds he badly needs for experience.

His trainer, Wayne Batten, said: “Joe is going to be doing a six rounder now because we need to get him some rounds under his belt.

“He has done brilliantly in his two fights but he’s learning more from sparring at the moment than he is from his fights because they are over so quickly.

“We want Joe to keep going for the stoppages, but we need to get better opponents for him to progress.

“He’s still really young and has plenty of time on his side, and he is improving all the time in the gym, but I think this is a sensible step for his career and we will try and get him the right opponent for such a fight.”

Tickets for the show at Winchester Guildhall have been selling fast.

The show has been taken to the venue due to a string of requests and so organisers are hoping the fight fans in the area will respond accordingly and sell out the venue.

Tony Hill is set to headline the show as he steps up to super middleweight for the first time while the likes of Alex Dilmaghani and Darryl Still will also be on a busy show.

However, there will be no Matty Tew who is sitting it out ahead of what his camp hope will be a big announcement regarding the next stage in his career.

  •  Tickets are available on 07980 688612.