BOLTON boxer Khaleel Majid makes his professional debut at London's O2 Arena tomorrow night.

And the 10 stone man, who had only six defeats in an 87-bout amateur career, will be backed by almost 500 supporters travelling north.

Majid, who only turned 21 in May, signed with top promoter Frank Warren on the recommendation of his coach earlier in the year.

The link-up with Warren's Queensberry Promotions has got him onto the big stage tomorrow night when his first fight in the paid ranks will be on the undercard of Martin Murray's middleweight clash with Mexican Roberto Garcia.

And the born-and-bred Boltonian knows it is now up to him to perform.

“I’ve worked really hard for this,” said the Heaton man.

"But all the hard work is done now and I am just going to go out and enjoy myself.

"My manager and coach Lee Beard, who’s had a lot of experience of training elite fighters, has pushed to the limit to get me prepared for this fight.

“I’ve been on the sidelines for over a year but things happen and now I can just focus on the job at hand and get it done.

“A lot of great fighters who I've looked up to have fought at the O2 Arena and for me to have that privilege is a huge honour.

“I’m making sure little things will not get in my way. My ultimate job will be to prove myself out there and show I have the ingredients of a fighter.”

Majid is grateful to the huge support he will be taking down to London from Bolton and Manchester.

“I’ve sold just under 500 and my fan base is multi-cultural,” he said.

“I mix with a lot of people in Bolton where I’ve always lived and Manchester where I train and I want to thank everyone who has spent their hard-earned money and bought a ticket to watch me progress my career.”

Majid got into boxing at an early age, and almost by accident.

He accompanied his father, Amar, to Thai boxing sessions but found he was always using his fists.

“I was about eight and going with my dad to Thai boxing which he did for fitness,” he said.

“But I kept getting told off for using my hands all the time. I just found it natural and that’s when the transition to boxing happened.

“Boxing just clicked with me, I was good at it, a natural, so I turned to boxing.”

As an amateur, Majid won the European Gold Medal, St David’s Cup and England youths' and schoolboys' titles, but decided to turn professional after some results he felt were unfair.

“I was beating opponents but not getting the decisions,” he said. "So I wanted to do something different and at 18 I started to train as a pro.

“My debut has been a long time coming but I’ve got my opportunity now to rise to the occasion.”

Dad Amar believes Khaleel will make a massive impression on fans.

He said: “Khaleel has done the hard work. He gets up, trains and is committed to his craft.

“He has always been dedicated to his work and has had a few obstacles along the way but he’s overcome them and has got himself to the O2 Arena.

“He’s a good kid. At the end of the day, he’s got a good chance at this and you have to support him.”