A "BIG step-up" is how Emma McCulloch has described her second professional bout but she says she's relishing the chance to step back into the ring.

The Lochgelly boxing star, who left the amateur ranks last year, will travel to Birmingham this weekend to take on local fighter Danielle Hodges in what is set to be her maiden six-round bout.

Glenrothes Boxing Club member Emma, a four-time Boxing Scotland Elite Championship women's light flyweight 48kg champion, is no stranger to competing in the second city, having recorded three wins from three fights there as an amateur.

That included a defeat of Miriam Zouhou, a past GB Elite Three Nations 49kg champion and winner of the prestigious Haringey Box Cup, during an England versus Scotland select fight night and she hopes her fine record in the West Midlands continues this Saturday.

The fight comes after she opened her pro career with a win on points, by unanimous decision, over Bulgaria's Teodora Hristova in February at Glenrothes' Gilvenbank Hotel.

Speaking to Times Sport, 27-year-old Emma said: "I'm boxing down in Birmingham in my first six-round fight. I've been training hard outside of work and throughout the weekends, so I'll be looking to secure a win, although I'm aware it won't be easy.

"My opponent is more experienced, certainly in the pro ranks, but I'm not thinking about that. I always just try to focus on my own training and game plan.

"It's not easy to get other women to spar with, so I'm grateful to be able to get the rounds in with a decent sparring partner and practice things that I've been working on in the gym.

"After only one professional fight so far, six rounds is a step-up, but it certainly helps to set me up for a title fight at some point down the line."

Hodges, 33, made her pro bow in August 17 and has a record of four wins – all of which were on points – from six rounds.

She did, however, lose her last to Preston debutant Lisa Whiteside in May, but dad Allan – who also coaches at Glenrothes – added: "Dani Hodges is a bit more experienced in the pro ranks, although I'm not sure about at amateur, as we never really came across her, but Emma has fought all the best amateurs.

"She (Hodges) has had six fights, and won four and lost two, so she's not a bad boxer, so we're expecting it to be quite close.

"But we're going down to win the fight. If Emma boxes the way she can, she's more than capable."

Emma will go into the bout having secured the backing of another sponsor, Ryan Knox Carpet Fitter, who she added has "been brilliant with me recently, providing me with quality new kit including gloves, boots and customised shorts!"

His sponsorship adds to that of Diamond Fitness, in Lochgelly, who have been long-term supporters of Emma's.