TONY Hill is preparing for life with the big boys tomorrow night – stepping up from middleweight to light heavyweight.

The 27-year-old Southampton fighter has campaigned at middleweight so far in his pro career, that has included a bout for the Commonwealth title.

It’s been more than six months since his last fight and in that time Hill has decided to move up in weight, starting with tomorrow’s show at Winchester Guildhall.

Hill has sparred the likes of light heavyweight world champion Nathan Cleverly and super middleweight great Mikkel Kessler, so is no stranger to heavier opponents.

Now he feels it is his time to stop draining himself down to make the weight and try and use his big frame to carry the extra power.

“I’m fit and looking forward to it. It’s been six months since I last fought so it will be good to get back in there,” he said.

“Ihadhad enoughof draining myself. I would feel alright in training and then once I got in the ring I just didn’t feel that great.

“I went awayandhada look at things and I narrowed it down and I definitely think it’s gotto be the weightthat’s the issue.

“So I have decided to move up in weights – in fact on Saturday I will be moving up two weights to light heavyweight and see how Ifeel.

“It’s a decision I wanted to make and I think now that even making super middleweight might be a bit of a struggle but I will see how I feel once I’m in the ring this weekend.

“I’m the size of a light heavyweight anyway so that’s not going to be anissue and when I look at the fights I’ve lost or struggled in it hasn’t been down to power, I’ve struggled against fast and speedy people so fighting stronger and bigger people doesn’t worry me.

“I’ve always sparred big people so it isn’t really a problem.”

Hill is headlining the Winchester show, the first pro card in the city for more than 30 years.

However, Hill insists his decision to go up in weight is for his own sake, rather than worrying about a career ladder.

“I wasn’t really thinking about the division,” he admitted. “I’ve never looked at who there is to box and whether there’s an easier route or a better route.

“This is down to me and I will feel better at that weight.

“I wantto come out and see how I feel at the higher weight.

“I was quite heavy in my last fight at Southampton Guildhall.

“For this fight I’ve added on not just weight but more muscle and I’m a bigger person now.”

Hill is joined on the card by Joe Pigford, Alex Dilmaghani, Darryl Still, Tommy Watson and Wade Armour.

Doors open at 6pm with the boxing starting at 7pm. Last tickets available on 07980 688612.