BICESTER’S Adi Burden faces his biggest test after overcoming every obstacle in his short career so far, writes JAMES ROBERTS.

The light heavyweight has a perfect record after six professional fights, twice excelling in front of the television cameras with victories over Geogi Valevski and Callum Ide.

But on Saturday he takes on Tsvetozar Iliev in his first six-round fight and the 23-year-old knows it could be sink or swim.

He said: “The jump from four rounds to six is bigger than what I’m used to and the level of opponent is a lot tougher.

“When you fight four rounds you train for six, so I’ve upped it and been training for eight.

“You’ve got to make sure you’ve got that extra bit in the tank to dig deeper.

“But hopefully it takes me to that next level.

“It’s a big step up but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Burden’s Bulgarian opponent is an experienced boxer with 28 professional bouts to his name.

Yet the Oxfordshire man will fancy his chances at London’s historic York Hall – a place he has contested all but one of his fights.

He said: “It feels like a second home.

“York Hall was the place I made my debut so it’s getting a bit normal now.

“But it’s the home of British boxing so it’s always going to be special for me.”

Burden’s only professional contest away from the east London venue was his technical knockout win over Valevski at the O2 Arena last October.

The fighter appeared on the same bill as Olympic silver-medallist Joe Joyce, with David Haye and Chris Eubank Jr among those watching on.

Despite his success in the ring, Burden remains a full-time labourer, balancing building and boxing.

His average day consists of a 6am run, nine-hour shift and a long session in the gym.

The Bicester man admits this exhausting schedule can be challenging, but reveals it is the norm for the vast majority of fighters.

He said: “Not many people see that side of the sport – a lot of people just watch fighters like Anthony Joshua, Kell Brook and Amir Khan.

“The causal boxing fan doesn’t see the shows where if you don’t sell enough tickets, you don’t fight.

“It’s not the glamorous life people think.”

Above everything else, Burden has to care for his one-year-old daughter – but this simply motivates him to achieve his ultimate goal of boxing full time.

He said: “I have to put her first, but at times you’ve got to be a bit selfish if in the long term it means she can have a nice life.”