PEOPLE have always told Jerome Samuels that he’s a chip off the old block… and now he’s started to prove them right.

The 19-year-old welterweight fighter, from the Maesglas area of Newport, has followed in the footsteps of his father Paul Samuels by turning to professional pugilism.

A seasoned pro for three decades, Paul inspired Jerome to dream of making a career from boxing.

However, his hastily arranged move to the professional ranks began inauspiciously, Samuels losing his first five fights and seeming destined for, at best, a career as a journeyman fighter, travelling the country to essentially be a punchbag for up and comers.

However, Samuels didn’t read the script and when he was sent to Southampton to fight undefeated Dorset prospect Tommy Watson he upset the odds to record a first victory.

That was followed just eight days later by another win, this time at Swindon’s Oasis Leisure Centre against Lydney fighter Lewis Van Poetsch.

Samuels, who trains at Shaftesbury with Richie Garner and who is used to various levels of input from his father in the gym, is now hoping for bigger and better things after finding that winning touch.

He’s next in action on July 27 on the Steve Sims bill at the Newport Centre and will face off against Tom Price, a debutant and a Newport native.

But the battle of Newport notwithstanding, Samuels is simply happy to have found his feet in the paid ranks.

“I turned pro, perhaps too quickly, I was taking any fight, at very short notice and it was a recipe for disaster if I’m honest,” said Samuels.

“It was around the turn of the year that I started to feel more comfortable and I haven’t look back, I’ve been training solidly and I feel like my career is coming together.

“I’ve won two on the bounce now and intend to make it three at the Newport Centre.”

Samuels admits his punching papa can be both a blessing and a curse, but he’s never short of some words of advice.

“My dad Paul, he’s obviously a massive influence on me, he’s often in the gym giving me advice or watching me train, but he’s not overbearing, he lets me get on with things,” he said.

“On the one hand it can be difficult, people always saying that ‘oh, you’re Paul’s son aren’t you?’ but I guess it also makes me a bit more recongisable in boxing.”

Tickets for the show can be purchased from Samuels on 079641607424.