FOBBING boxer Sam Stokes says he feels better than ever after changing weight divisions ahead of his upcoming bout with Bulgarian Antonio Petrov.

Stokes, 26, will do battle with the exciting 20-year-old prospect next month at York Hall, a venue he has got to know well in the last six months.

The Basildon-born fighter has won all six of his previous fights, although he admits he was fighting the first five of those in the wrong weight category.

And although the former light heavyweight turned middleweight won all of those bouts, he feels he will have too much for Petrov, who recently lost a national middleweight title fight on points.

“Petrov has a good record and although he lost his last fight, he was boxing for a middleweight title after just six fights and that is impressive,” said the dad-of-three, who turned professional in 2014. “

“But I feel in really good shape and just want to get out there and show what I can do. I am confident in my ability and I wish the fight was next week not next month.

“I was fighting at light heavyweight before but I feel better than ever in this division. I beat Liam Griffiths last time out and felt really good so I am looking forward to fighting at that weight again.

“This is the right fight for me at this time and I can’t wait.”

Stokes, who trains at RJ’s Gym in Chingford and is managed by Steve Goodwin, is not underestimating the challenge of Petrov but admits he is keen to secure tougher fights in the future.

And the fighter, who has the same nutritionist as IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, says he is keen to continue securing big dates, with his entire purse going to charity.

Stokes lost his brother Billy to a rare heart condition when he was just 10-years-old and he says he wants to help others who are fighting illness.

“I was 10 and Billy was eight so I always try and do my bit for young children’s charities,” he said. “It's always touched me how there are some very sick children who have never even been on a family holiday before.

“I will be fighting for a little girl called Ebonie-Mai Carter, who is battling cancer, and am trying to help to raise enough money for her to go to Disneyland.

“It is so important for me and I believe in good korma. I don’t want a short term investment in boxing and the bigger fights will come in the future.”