SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT prospect Dan Toward might have relocated to Rotherham but the Birtley boxer will be wearing black and white as he takes the next step on the pro ladder on Friday night - and has promised some "big nights" at Newcastle in the future.

Toward turned pro on the back of a hugely impressive amateur career and life in the paid ranks has got off to an impressive start, with two wins at the back end of last year.

He steps back between the ropes at Telford on Friday night to take on Dane Frank Madsen on the undercard of the EBU European Super Welterweight scrap between Abass Baraou and Sam Eggington, which will be live on Channel 5. And the 22-year-old has promised fans they'll see a huge improvement after he linked up with highly-rated trainer Dave Caldwell.

Caldwell has worked with a string of top end fighters over the years, including Tony Bellew who he led to world title success. And despite only switching to the Rotherham gym just over a month ago, Toward says he can already feel the benefits.

"I wanted a change to get out of my comfort zone," Toward tells the Northern Echo.

"It's a great stable I've joined. I'm surrounded by lads who are where I want to be in the near future.

"Dave has a great track record in the pro ranks. It's only been six weeks since I joined up with Dave but I already feel a huge improvement.

"If I improve this much over six weeks, imagine what I'll be like over six months. You'll see a better version every time I fight. It's a busy year with five fights. Friday night you'll definitely see a better version of myself.

"I've made a good start (to life as a pro). My first fight was a second round stoppage against a lad with a winning record, the second fight went six rounds, I didn't really put a foot wrong and did the distance. Hopefully Friday night I'll get him out of there and look good."

Toward has big ambitions and dreams of returning home to the North East to top a big Newcastle bill, but he won't allow himself to look beyond the next challenge.

"You have to keep grounded and can't look past the next fight," he said.

"You've seen it time and time again with young prospects where they think they've made it. You have to respect every fight and do your apprenticeship in the pros.

"I had 10 years in the amateurs and 82 fights but you have to learn in the pro ranks, learn the pace, start on six rounds, move to eight 10, 12 - it's about building and gaining experience as it comes.

"I've moved to Rotherham but I'm a proud Geordie boy. I'll be wearing the black and white stripes on Friday night and although I'm fighting away at the minute I'll definitely be bringing big fights to Newcastle in the future."