Sonny Whiting has done it tough in his life – he’s worked under a blazing sun on an Australian cattle property in the outback for a couple of years when he was younger, writes Richard Harvey.

Now the Rochester light middleweight is ready to rise to meet another tough challenge on Saturday night.

Whiting, 27, will make his professional boxing debut against James Child at the Civic Hall, Grays, Essex.

And Whiting, who fights out of the Peacock Gym in Canning Town, said he can’t wait to stand toe-to-toe with the man called ‘Wild Child’.

He said: “I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. I’m not going to leave anything in there (the ring).

“My preparation has been spot on and I’m determined to show I am ready to be in there as a pro.”

While he was feeling confident, Whiting did admit to a bit of nervousness ahead of his big night.

He said: “It’s only natural, I guess. I’ll be right when I get in there and start throwing punches.”