Norwich boxer Liam Goddard makes his professional debut at The Halls this evening and trainer Graham Everett is tipping the youngster for big things.

Goddard has been training with Everett for several months and they are ready to unleash him at light welterweight on an exciting card this evening.

'Liam has been training with us for about four or five months and he's progressed really well,' said Everett. 'He's a lovely, slick southpaw boxer and he's got a bit of Joe Calzaghe about him – he's got that sort of style.

'He was a decent amateur but perhaps didn't fulfil his potential but he's certainly pushing on now.'

Connor Vian (8-1-0) will be looking to bounce back from defeat to Nathan Hardy last time out and Everett feels the 25-year-old can take inspiration from boxers like Billy Bird and Craig Poxton and the path they've trodden.

'Russ Smith (at Champions Gym, in Colchester) is doing a great job with Connor and I think he's ready to do what Billy Bird has done,' added Everett, who manages Vian.

'Billy and Craig Poxton are great examples of what local boxing does for people. They have both been on a lot of these shows and gone on to fight for titles.

'Billy has been in two fights of the year and he was subject to a debatable decision last week (in a points defeat to Adam Harper).

'That's what we want for all our boxers here – to go on from here and fight for belts.'

Highly rated cruiserweight Iain Martell (3-0-0) is also on the card and Everett believes it is time for the 28-year-old to make the next step in his career. 'We need to get Iain get that experience as quickly as we possibly can,' he said. 'He is 28 and in great shape.

'We want to push him on and get him fighting for area titles in the new year – he needs to be going for championship fights very soon.

'He's capable of knocking out any cruiserweight out there – he just needs to get that belief from more fights.'

Joe Steed, from Wisbech, will be looking for his third victory, as will visiting Stoke fighter Shabaz Masoud, who also features.

Doors open at 6.30pm with the first bell at 7pm.