BOXER Ollie Pinnock will be swapping engagement rings for the boxing ring when he lines up against Angle Emilov for the second professional fight of his career on Saturday.

The 34-year-old from Leigh faces Bulgarian Angel Emilov at London’s York Hall.

And Pinnock hopes to make it a double celebration just days after confirming the date of his wedding to his childhood sweetheart Vicky.

“It would be extra special to get this win after announcing a mariage date to my fiance Vicky,” said Pinnock.

“We are high school sweethearts and have been together since the age of 14, so it will be 20 years in October.

“We just felt as everything is going so well at the moment with our new house and careers that now was the perfect time to do it.

“It would make winning at the weekend feel even better too.”

Welterweight Pinnock won his first fight, which was also held at York Hall, in March against Bheki Mayo.

But he trained tirelessly since the triumph and now feels in better shape than ever before.

“My preparation has been fantastic and I am currently in the shape of my life,” said Pinnock.

“I’ve broken all my running times and personal bests at weight training sessions in the past couple of weeks and I have had some great sparring sessions too.

“People have asked me how I feel as a 34-year-old in a young man’s sport, but I don’t feel like I am getting old, I feel like I am getting better.”

Pinnock will now be aiming to show that against Emilov who has won three of his seven fights so far.

But Pinnock has been encouraged by studying footage of his opponent’s previous bouts.

“I had a brief look at one of his fights and there are lots of things I think I can capitalise on during the fight,” said Pinnock.

“I never go out looking for the stoppage and he’s never been stopped before but I see lots of holes in his defence that I will try to exploit early on.

“I really feel myself improving in every way and now I want to get out there now and show what I can do.”

Pinnock has agreed a sponsorship deal with businessmatch.co.com who have provided him with a new car ahead of the bout and he was also keen to thank his other sponsors – Crowstone Shipbrokers, Southend Combat Academy, Vividtone.net and Evolution Gym - for their continued support too.