A 21-STUN salute is the birthday bash sought by North Yorkshire professional boxer Harry Matthews.

The Pocklington Rocket will celebrate his 21st birthday not in his best bib and tucker, nor in a swanky restaurant or at a fun-filled party, but rather in the ring of pain.

Matthews will mark his landmark celebration climbing through the ropes and into combat for his fourth professional outing.

The light-middleweight puts his unbeaten record on the line against Sheffield journeyman Paul Royston, a veteran of 30 contests, at a special dinner show at Hull City’s KC Stadium in Hull on February 21.

Said Matthews: “When I was offered the fight and I realised it fell on my 21st birthday I just wanted it.

“I don’t want to wait too long. I want to be busy and it doesn’t really matter to me that it’s on my birthday. If anything, it makes it more special and I’m determined to have the best present of all by getting another victory.”

He added he was not over- familiar with his next opponent, save for knowing he has tons more experience. “And he’s never been stopped,” added Matthews, who trains twice a week at the Roko gymnasium in Clifton Moor.

In the last two years either as an amateur or professional Matthews has remained undefeated, but it’s the pro craft he is now seeking to harness to his considerable punching power.

Besides beefing up his training regime with his trainer Glen Banks at Roko, Matthews also journeys to Lincoln and Newark, where his manager Carl Greaves is based, for further training and sparring sessions.

Just to give him even more of an edge, he is trying to tie up several sparring sessions with Frankie Gavin, Britain’s first world amateur champion of 2007, who has since turned professional and linked up with leading promoter Frank Warren.

Tickets for Matthews’ fourth pro outing at the KC Stadium cost £45 and are available by phoning the boxer on 07944 972015.