OLLIE Lambert aims to follow in dad’s footsteps as he makes the move into professional boxing.

The 24-year-old Aston Fields-based cruiserweight starts his career as a paid puncher at Birmingham’s HMV Institute on Saturday, March 29, when he takes on vastly experienced Bulgarian Tayar Mehmed.

His father, Andy Lambert, was known for his all-or-nothing attitude, with seven professional wins.

His son ended his amateur career with three straight inside-the-distance wins and he wants to take the short route to cruiserweight and heavyweight titles in the professional ring.

“I wanted to have a go at the pros before it was too late,” commented Lambert senior.

“I had to really go for it and fight anyone. It was a gamble, but I knew if I beat people like Pele Reid and Danny Williams I would jump up the rankings quickly.

“I told Ollie not to do what I did. I told him not to leave it too late before turning professional.

“He doesn’t need the money and there’s no need to rush him into big fights.”

Ollie reckons pulverising punch power is in his DNA.

He said: “There was a punch bag up at home and I started hitting it when I was a kid.

“I’ve always been able to punch hard. Dad showed me the basics, but I never really took boxing seriously until I was 18 years old.”

The southpaw has won ten out of his 14 bouts with Northfield and Racing Warwick ABCs before opting for the professional rankings.

Tickets for the show are available by calling Andy Lambert on 07586 586205.