Darlington’s Ellis Corrie is ready to hit the ring again.

Last year Corrie made the transition from international Muay Thai champion to professional boxing, enjoying a successful home debut over David Zubrzycki at the Dolphin Centre.

It was a tough first outing in the paid boxing ranks. However, Corrie, who has won titles at home and abroad in Muay Thai, is preparing to do the same again when he faces Mike Castell in his next outing on February 25.

“He (Zubrzycki) was a tough ask (for my debut) but I feel that, if the fight had gone on longer, I’d have got him out of there,” began the 20-year-old.

“I didn’t want to rush things though and I went in there wanting to take my time and get the rounds in but he was wavering towards the end.

“When I face Castell, I can see that he’s an awkward fighter, taller than me, but I want to showcase my skills and put on a show as I’ve been working on a lot of stuff in the gym with Pete (Shepperson) which we’ll implement."

Corrie is finding minimal issues with the transition from one combat sport to another, and, with a vast amount of global experience in his former trade, it’s that age old problem of the ticket deal that hampers most fighters in the early stages in the paid ranks.

Corrie’s problem-solver is to go out on the road as well taking fights at home; a brave move but taking in his experience elsewhere a one he can take to more than others, and hopefully bring back the wins as he pushes towards a title ending to this year.

“Although I will box anyone, and have found it quite easy making the transition, the ticket deals are really difficult to do,” continued Ellis.

“We have worked on a lot of things (in the gym) and even though there’s a lot more for me to think about, boxing is more technical and you need to be quicker, lighter on your feet, it has been good for me.

“I had over 200 fights in the ring in Muay Thai and, if I keep my options open, keep in the gym and be ready then I can build my fights up.

“I’ve fought for titles all over the world but know I still have a lot of time on my side and, although I treat every fight the same, I don’t want to let others down which is why, after this one, I want to get out on the road and get more rounds in and see what happens.”

Corrie joins Mal Gates’ pair Paul Gidney, and debutant Sam Menzies, on the Sunday Showdown at Dunston's Lancastrian Suite, the South Shields trainer being well known on the circuit and has taken the likes of Anthony Nelson and Lee Mould to title success in recent years.

Looking to do the same with this duo Gates said of his two: “It’s good to have them all together though and they’re training well.

“Paul, Sam and Nella are great, the sparring is enthusiastic and there’s a lot of respect for each other – they’ve definitely had a lot of great spars in there I can tell you that.

Tickets for the February 25, Sunday Showdown, are available from the fighters priced at £35 or from www.proboxingnewcastlegateshead.com.