YORK boxer Rafal Benka insists that he is not concerned about his short notice preparation as he makes his professional debut tomorrow night.

Benka will enter the ring for the first time in the paid ranks when he faces MJ Hall at the Sheffield Arena Car Park on Friday evening.

The welterweight had been hoping to make his debut just over 12 months ago, but those plans were put on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic.

With a limited number of fans not back in sports venues, Benka is finally able to start life as a professional.

The Polish-born boxer, who now lives and trains in York, was told of this fight a fortnight ago by his trainer and manager Henry Wharton, the York boxing legend who fought for a world title three times.

Despite the limited time to prepare, Benka grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

"I've been training all the time and when Henry called me and asked me if I wanted to take this fight I said yes because I've been waiting for over a year and I'm super excited," said Benka.

There wasn't much more for me to consider because I've been training all the time in the gym, I've been there five times a week and I've been running and doing a bit of strength work.

“I’m very excited because it’s been a long period of time since I turned pro last year. I had sorted my medicals and licence and then we went into the first lockdown.

"I hoped to have my first pro fight in June last year but it didn't happen because of Covid."

Coronavirus has had a massive impact upon plenty of people in sport and especially for small-hall boxers like Benka, who earn money primarily through their fights.

Describing the difficulties of the past year or so, Benka explained: "It's been hard because you never knew when you were going to be out or when you were going to make your pro debut.

"There were so many question marks. You train so hard and dedicate yourself to boxing, but you didn't know what was going to happen in a month or three months time.

"I knew that sooner or later I would get my chance and that's what has kept me going through the three lockdowns."

Benka's fight will be shown on the Fight Zone website, which has also screened the fights of York boxers Rob Magill and John Patrick Harker over recent weeks.

"Fight Zone is a breath of fresh air because it's another outlet and thankfully we're in with that organisation," said Wharton, who now has around half a dozen pros coming through his stable.

"My lads are looking at this as a big opportunity and Rafa has as well.

"It might seem like short notice but Rafa is fit through our programming and I'm sure he'll take the opportunity with both hands.

"Opportunities are few and far between right now because people can't put shows on because of finances and the Board's restrictions.

"But, I've kept the boxers in the gym over lockdown, which we've been in for a long time. I said to them 'Things are going to come thick and fast and things become available, we're on'.

On any potential nerves around his debut, Benka added: "I know that I train hard, I know that I'm fit and I know about my own abilities, but I'm still nervous because you never what could happen.

"I believe in myself and I will go through this fight as a winner."