A RAF boxer who has trained in Bicester is set for his first professional match later this month. 

Brad Axe, who has trained in Bicester under Carl Ellis, will fight an opponent currently listed as Vasif Mamedov over four rounds on promoter John Clark’s show in Brentwood, Essex, on April 27. 

Brad said: "I’m eager to get on with the professional game while still working hard in the RAF.

"I’ve vast experience as an amateur boxer including 22 contests with Yeovil ABC where I grew up and 31 in the RAF.

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"I’ve always loved everything about the sport, the training, the commitment required and the chance to prove in combat that I’m the fitter stronger person both mentally and physically.

"I’m most proud of having won the elite UKAF championships for the RAF against the Army and the Royal Navy. Now’s the time to start building my own professional career."

Axe, aged 27, is an RAF firefighter based at Moreton-in-Marsh where he works as an instructor in the military fire service having joined the RAF at 18.

After moving back from a three-year deployment in Cyprus, Axe teamed up with Bicester’s Carl Ellis to train at Ellis’s boxing gym.

Since last November he’s been managed by Jamie Sheldon at One Empire Management and refers to his team as 'The Axe Gang.'

Carl, aged 39, said: "I’ve been training Brad for around six months and he’s a delight to coach. 

"He’s keen to learn and willing to train intensively, being fully dedicated to the sport.

"He’s got a good amateur background, which will transfer nicely with a few tweaks into the pro ranks.

"At 27, it’s a perfect time for him, and hopefully he’ll be competing for an area title in the next year or so.

"Promoters will love Brad as he’s a good-looking boy who promises to be a strong ticket seller which is essential for a novice pro needing to develop a fanbase. I’m excited to see where this journey takes us both."

Brad added: "Carl has been incredible and done so much for me in a short space of time.

"I’ve just had a training camp back in Cyprus and through my team’s connections I have been sparring with the best across the south.

"I’m a very busy person and my wife also makes it all possible. She pushes me to achieve my goals and keeps the cogs turning in the background running the house and caring for our boy.  

"With my amateur experience I don’t want to hang about boxing four rounders for ages. I’d like to step straight up to six rounds after my debut and get chasing an area title as soon as possible.

"Then moving on from there it would be a dream to win an English title. I’m boxing at middleweight.

"This weight class is absolutely flying just now in this country, which is great news.

"However other boxers should take note that I’m here now and I’m coming for what’s mine."