AMBITIOUS Lee Cutler swapped gating gloves for boxing gloves and insisted: “I’m going to get to the top.”

The 22-year-old used to be a speedway rider and raced against now British champion Robert Lambert, while in grasstrack he duelled with James Shanes who has since won two senior European titles.

Cutler will tomorrow make his professional debut in the boxing ring when he takes on Northern Ireland’s Casey Blair at Bournemouth’s O2 Academy.

Originally from Verwood but now based in Parkstone, Cutler will lock horns with Blair in a super-welterweight contest over four, three-minute rounds at Steve Bendall’s latest show – ‘The Next Chapter’.

He told the Daily Echo: “I was second in Britain three times on the trot in speedway but never got the win!

“I used to race some good kids who are still about nowadays including Robert Lambert.

“Me and James Shanes used to battle it out in grasstrack. I once led him for nearly four laps in the British Championship and he overtook me on the last corner.

“Then boxing took over and the bikes went. Boxing is a lot cheaper!”

The ex-Parkstone ABC man had more than 40 fights as an amateur, winning the Senior Novice Championship when he was 17. He also boxed for the English title at two different weights.

Cutler has sparred with the likes of Chris Eubank Jnr and Josh Kelly who are widely viewed as some of the sport’s brightest young talents.

For his maiden professional bout, Cutler will face an opponent who has won just five of his 48 encounters.

Cutler said: “I was never beaten comfortably as an amateur. It was always close. I took a lot of confidence from that because I boxed top-level lads.

“I hope I can build on the support I’ve had so far. I’m the best I’ve ever been in the gym and am feeling good and can’t wait to show what level I’m at.

“When people see me, they will know there is a new kid about and trust me, I’m going to get to the top.

“I know I could beat the current Southern Area title holders over four, five or six rounds. I have things to learn over the 10-round distance and then I will be capable of doing a job.”

Cutler’s trainer Kev Thorniley said: “There is no getting away from it, we have massive hopes for Lee.

“His style suits the professional game. I believe Lee is on British level, although he has a lot of work to put in.

“There is a lot to come from him but there is a lot of learning as well. He is now a baby of the sport and has to build but we have something special on our hands.

“I believe we will see the birth of a new talent.”

Doors open at 5pm with fights starting at 7pm.