AN OSWESTRY-based boxer set to make his professional debut has thanked his sponsors and supporters for their help while his bout has been stalled by the pandemic.

Cristoffer Dean, known as Crimmy 'Bombproof' Dean, signed a professional deal last year and was expecting to make his debut earlier this year, but restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic means his bout has been pushed back.

This has not stopped a swell of support from boxing fans in the area, nor has it stopped the generosity of local firms throwing their support behind the welterweight.

He has thanked those who have stuck by him and helped him during his wait for his first fight.

"I've got a great following at the moment," he said. "Seeing the amount of people getting behind me is mad.

"It's one of the biggest pushes and it's why I'm training so hard.

"Having people behind me and sponsorship like I've got is great.

"I've also been selling training tops with my name on it, and more than 100 of those have been sold now which is just amazing."

During his wait for a fight, Crimmy has been perfecting his game and is still training to get ready for whenever he is given the go-ahead to fight.

He said: "At the moment, sparring is going really well – I feel like I have perfected by left hand, and I am now working on the right a lot more.

"We've got no worries about training or the fight itself, I'm beyond where I should be in terms of preparing for the fight.

"We're just waiting for it to go ahead now. As soon as we get the green light, we're ready."

Sponsors include Tanat Valley Coaches, who have helped Crimmy acquire necessary gym equipment and various other goods to use while his preparations continue.

Chris Chadd, of Tanat Valley Coaches, said: "It's good to be able to help someone local like Crimmy.

"This is new for us, but we feel it's important to give something back.

"The support can hopefully help him while he waits to get back in the ring. We're all looking forward to it."

Crimmy and his coach, Pete Buckley, both thanked sponsors for their support.

Pete said: "We're very grateful, especially while there's nothing going on at the moment with Covid.

"To still have people getting in touch and wanting to sponsor us is really good.

"We're more than happy with it. It gives us a little boost while we're waiting for the green light for fights to go ahead."

Local sponsors for Crimmy include AG Detail, Pentons Haulage, Smart Cut, Cut Defined Fitness, Jack Braddick PT, Arbonne Nutrition and Impact Boxing.