BOXER Ross Cooksey is ‘gutted’ that his professional debut has had to be put on hold.

Cooksey was set to make his bow against Ghanaian Michael Barnor in a super-bantamweight clash at Bowlers, Manchester this Friday, but a delay with his opponent’s work permit means the bout has been called off.

The 24-year-old has been juggling his work commitments as an apprentice welder at BAE Systems with training hard under the guidance of coaches Shaun and Steve Egan at Jimmy Egan’s Manchester Boxing Academy.

Now Cooksey has been left frustrated, although the former Barrow ABC amateur is confident the fight will be rescheduled for next month.

It was supposed to be a weekend to celebrate a great period for Barrow professional boxing, with Liam Conroy having been set to fight on the undercard of the Anthony Crolla versus Jorge Linares world title rematch at Manchester Arena on Saturday.

But Conroy suffered a cut above his eye on his way to stopping Yailton Neves earlier this month, bringing with it a mandatory 28-day ban. And now his old Brook Street mate Cooksey has also suffered the disappointment of a postponement.

“I am absolutely gutted to announce that I won’t be making my pro debut this Friday, due to no fault of my own,” Cooksey told his Facebook followers. “I’m fit and ready to go, but my opponent’s work permit has not been sorted in time as he’s from Ghana.

“My management team are looking at a new date which we will announce in the next few days and will be against the same opponent – Michael Barnor – when his work permit is sorted.”

He added: “We could look for another opponent for Friday, but this is the guy we have our eyes set on for my pro debut.

“I am really sorry to everyone who has bought tickets and booked hotels. I honestly can’t apologise enough. When I get my new date I will exchange your tickets with the new ones if you still want to come and support me, which I really hope you will.

“Also, I want to thank Travellers Choice who have agreed to keep the coach on for my new date, when I get one.”