HE may be taking the baby steps in his professional career, but Nick Blackwell is hoping 2011 will see him rubbing shoulders with some of boxing’s greats.

The 20-year-old, who defends his English middleweight title for the first time in Swindon on March 5, is planning a trip to the United States to spend time at the sport’s most famous hothouses.

Trainer Mark Kent, of the Trowbridge Contender Gym has discussed visits to the world-renowned Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, as well as the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles for the Trowbridge fighter, nicknamed ‘Bang Bang’.

Gleason’s hall of fame includes boxing legends Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Floyd Patterson, George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearns and Marvin Hagler, one of the finest ever in Blackwell’s middleweight division.

The Wild Card club in Hollywood is run by top-rated trainer Freddie Roach and boasts eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and British world champion Amir Khan among its occupants.

Blackwell said: “To train alongside the best pound for pound fighter in the world (Pacquiao) would be amazing.

“We might go out there for two or so weeks and I’d get so much experience from that.’’ First though is his title defence against Derbyshire’s Matt Hainy, his first defence since outpointing Yorkshire’s Harry Matthews to claim the vacant belt and become the youngest-ever English title holder in November.

“I reckon it’s going to be a bit harder than the last fight. He’s going to be a lot stronger and a lot fitter and he hits harder,’’ said Blackwell Tickets for the March 5 date are available from promoter Keith Mayo on 07789 890453.

A WESTERN Counties Select team will take on their Eastern Counties rivals at Westbury Country Park on Saturday, February 5. Doors open from 7pm with boxing starting around 8pm. Tickets (£10) are available via 01225 765851 or 01380 830021.

The Academy’s Joe Edwards is boxing in the Western Counties final of the under 48kg division of the English Schoolboy Championships tomorrow at Frome Town FC. Call Kevin on 07786 930093 for tickets.