An ex-con preparing for his first bare-knuckle boxing match says he’s two months sober.

Wes Joyce says he’s also lost two stone in weight after embarking on a new fitness regime in preparation for Saturday’s big fight.

Mr Joyce had been drinking 15 pints a day since being released from prison four years ago.

But with the boxing match to focus on and with the support of wife Stacey and his children, he appears to have turned his life around.

“I’ve been running mainly,” he said. “I gave up alcohol eight weeks ago so I’m two months sober now.

“I was 20 stone and thinking ‘this is too much now’, so for the last seven weeks I’ve been running every other day, swimming and going to the gym - and I’ve lost two stone, which is great. I didn’t need to lose any weight for the fight but it’s just been falling off me.”

Mr Joyce said sobriety has had a huge effect on both his physical and mental health.

'Alcohol was making me feel depressed'

“I believed I had depression ever since I donated a kidney but I can see now that it was the alcohol that was making me feel depressed.

“I was having suicidal thoughts - it wasn’t good. Anything that went wrong in my life I wanted to end it. Since stopping drinking I’ve been able to cut back on my tablets and I don’t argue - I discuss things and come up with a solution instead.

“Life is so much better in every way. I go to the park instead of the pub, I sleep better, my health is better.”

It’s going to be a family affair at Perdiswell Leisure Centre on Saturday night (March 26) as Mr Joyce’s son Leyton is also on the bill.

The 22-year-old will be wearing gloves though, unlike his dad.

“I’m looking forward to getting in the ring,” said Mr Joyce. “It’s my first bare knuckle fight in a ring and I’m excited.”

Mr Joyce said he’s sold 50 tickets so will have plenty of family and friends cheering him on ringside.