Have gloves, will travel is the adage by which Iain Martell is happy to live.

The Norwich cruiserweight is determined his move from MMA fighter to pro boxer will be a success – and is prepared to travel the country to make it happen.

'I remember Johnny Nelson saying being a sparring partner was the best thing he had ever done, getting on the road and I just want to travel,' said Martell, 27. 'I am here to be all I can be and whatever I have to do to achieve it I will, so hopefully I will be going around the country and getting good sparring, good training, enjoying myself and having some fun.'

Martell makes his second pro appearance on Saturday at Epic Studios in Norwich – and his target is clear.

'I am not here to make up the numbers or have dozens of fights at home and be a hometown hero,' said Martell, who trains under Graham Everett. 'I am here to win titles. Unfortunately I couldn't have the three fights this year – maybe I will get on again in December, but next year I want to be in title contention.

'The cruiserweight division is shallow, but there is a lot of talent coming out now, a lot of guys similar to me who are in their mid- to late-20s with undefeated records, who've had a few fights and in the next couple of years the cruiserweight division will be fantastic, a hot division.

'But the way I fight I can't have dozens and dozens of fights – I won't get them because I look to stop everyone I fight. I want to travel and with the contacts Graham has and the standing he has in the industry he can get me anywhere I want to be.'

Martell has been training with recently-crowned British heavyweight champion Sam Sexton, having overcome a hand injury suffered just seconds into his pro debut, against Czech opponent Jindrich Velecky, when his very first punch caused damage to his right hand. Martell got the win when the ref stepped in at the end of the third round, but is promising another all-action performance.

'I am never one to have a boring fight, never one to score points and I had to box and use my jab in that fight – it wasn't boring, but it wasn't me,' he said. 'I am there to put a two-fisted assault on my opponent, not in a malicious way, but I am there to do a job.'