They'll come from afar to back boxer Billy

Lavelle boxes on manager Mickey Helliet’s value-for-money ‘Collision Course’ show at the Camden Centre – opposite King’s Cross Station – on Saturday, April 28. The bill is topped by all-action lightweights Ben Murphy and Phil Gill going toe-to-toe in a British-title eliminator.

The 20-year-old says he can’t wait to have his second professional fight after flu forced him to pull out of a show in February.

Dad Gerry, who runs St Gerards ABC in Chichester, was born in Greenock – ten miles outside Glasgow – while mother Geraldine hails from Belfast. Lavelle is named after his uncle Billy, who had more than 50 bouts.

Billy senior is a trainer at the Chichester club and should be at ringside to see ‘Wee’ Billy have his second professional fight.

Lavelle is taking pre-fight inspiration from the history books. He was beaten on his professional debut last October after late changes of opponent and weight wrecked his preparations.

Lavelle said: “I just want to put that behind me and get my first win. A lot of people would have walked away after what happened, but I love boxing and have stuck with it.

“Boxers hate losing and I will do everything within my power to make sure it never happens to me again.

“But I know other boxers have lost their debuts and gone on to achieve big things. Bernard Hopkins put it behind him to be an all-time great and Johnny Nelson lost his first three fights and went on to be the world’s No 1 cruiserweight for years.”

Tickets for the show are available on 07922 630270.