FORMER Worcester City Amateur Boxing Club ace Adam Harper believes he is the underdog ahead of his Midlands area super welterweight title with fellow unbeaten prospect Ryan Kelly and plans to use it to his advantage.

The 28-year-old has seven wins on his ledger since turning professional in 2014 and Kelly, five years his junior, has racked up eights win to date.

The pair clash at Matchroom Boxing’s Birmingham show at the Barclaycard Arena on Saturday, May 13.

Topping the bill is Birmingham’s first world champion Kal Yafai.

“I’m really looking forward to the fight,” Harper said. “I need these kind of fights to bring the best out in me.

"From what I’ve heard people have me as the underdog in this one. People are saying I’ve already lost this fight and that’s perfect for me, it makes my job easier.

“They say there’s a difference between the pros and the amateurs but whenever I stepped up as an amateur I was always the underdog but I performed. I’m living the life and training hard. I’ll be more than ready.”

Harper has reduced his hours working in a school to part-time so that he can focus on his boxing dream.

A Tewksbury native, the Gloucester pugilist splits his time between Frankie Gavin’s Ringside Gym in Birmingham and Errol Johnson’s Black Country Boxing Gym in Wednesbury.

After headlining small hall shows throughout his pro career The Hurricane can’t wait to prove himself on the big stage against Brummie Kelly.

Harper added: “I’m really grateful to Eddie Hearn and the Matchroom team for this opportunity.

"I’d like to thank my manager Errol too for getting me this fight on such a big stage.

“I can’t wait. It’s going to be a great fight.”

Yafai defends his WBA world super-flyweight title against Suguru Muranaka and Sam Eggington challenges Cerefino Rodriguez for the European welterweight title.

Frankie Gavin is taking the first steps to move down to fight at super lightweight by taking on Derby’s Dave Ryan at 145lbs, while Yafai’s younger brother Gamal takes on WBC international super-bantamweight champion Sean Davis.

Lennox Clarke, Jordan Clayton, Charlie Williams and Cori Gibbs are also in action.

Tickets are priced £40, £60 and £100 with VIP tickets priced £200.