A Thetford delivery driver is swapping his daily drop-off route for the ring as he prepares to become a professional kickboxer.

Eastern Daily Press: Ernastas Sabaitis is already a competing kickboxer and is aiming to go pro in October Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNErnastas Sabaitis is already a competing kickboxer and is aiming to go pro in October Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ernastas Sabaitis was a keen kickboxer before moving to the UK but after a break decided he was ready to pick up the sport again.

The 26-year-old said: "I started when I was 14 years old back in Lithuania in the early 2000s, I wanted to learn some self defence and it grew from there.

"There was a gap of three years when I moved to the UK. First I tried MMA as there was a class in Thetford but I'm not really into the ground games and there wasn't a lot of stand-up fighting."

Mr Sabaitis was introduced to Billy Brown who runs a kickboxing class in the town. He took Mr Sabaitis under his wing and they have been training together ever since.

Eastern Daily Press: Ernastas Sabaitis is already a competing kickboxer and is aiming to go pro in October Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNErnastas Sabaitis is already a competing kickboxer and is aiming to go pro in October Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Mr Sabaitis, from the Cloverfield Estate, said: "One of my friends was training with Billy and he said I should come to the kickboxing class.

"He used to do it in a little church and I came a long and gave it a try. Billy saw me kicking and he said he would help me get ready for a fight."

Now Mr Sabaitis has competed in a number of matches in the Victory Three Kickboxing series. He said nothing compares to being in the ring.

"When you are in the ring it is an amazing feeling," he added, "I think it's one of the reasons I'm doing this.

Eastern Daily Press: Ernastas Sabaitis is already a competing kickboxer and is aiming to go pro in October Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNErnastas Sabaitis is already a competing kickboxer and is aiming to go pro in October Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

"I'm excited all the time and I love the challenge when you have to prove yourself and push yourself all the time.

"It's an incredible feeling and with the support, your team behind you, it is real love.

"This year we will go pro. It has always been my dream. When I started my first session two years ago I said I will become a professional and now I am training hard everyday, staying disciplined and I'm very happy.

"Hopefully I can become one of the best fighters in the world."

Eastern Daily Press: Ernastas Sabaitis with his trainer, Billy Brown Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNErnastas Sabaitis with his trainer, Billy Brown Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

For more information and to follow Mr Sabaitis on his journey go to www.facebook.com/sabaitis1

Eastern Daily Press: Billy Brown with Ernastas Sabaitis Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNBilly Brown with Ernastas Sabaitis Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)