Witney middleweight Steve Mullins is not only getting used to a different training regime, having traded in his vest to turn professional – but he’s also had to change his name.

The 31-year-old former ABA finalist was also told by the British Boxing Board of Control that he could not box under his own name when he makes his debut later this month.

After exhausting several possibilities during a succession of e-mails exchanged with the board’s offices in Cardiff, the Witney man decided to pick the name of one of his own ring heroes – ‘Marvellous’ Marvin Hagler.

The American superstar held the WBA, WBC and IBF world middleweight belts during the 1980s, having captured his first title from fellow southpaw Alan Minter at the Wembley Arena.

So it will be (Steve) Marvin Mullins that climbs through the ropes for his pro debut at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon on Friday, September 30.

The Oxfordshire fighter explained: “There was a boxer – a light welterweight from Liverpool who made his debut in 2003 – called Stephen Mullin already registered and the rules state that only a single boxer can appear on any licensed bill bearing that name.

“They also have the discretion to prevent anything similar being registered, so I was told to think of a new name before they would issue my boxing licence.

“Apparently it’s a regulation designed to prevent any confusion on a range of issues that are ring-related (like bout results) and the medical records that they retain on all professional boxers.”

The former Wolvercote ABC (now Oxford Boxing Academy) amateur mulled over a number of possible options – he ruled out taking his father’s name, Peter, because he has a younger brother called Peter Mullins, who has also boxed.

Using his home town as a surname was also ruled out as there had been an American middleweight during the 1930s called Steve Whitney – also rejected despite the slight change in spelling.

Tickets, starting at £35, can be obtained directly from Mullins on 07710 304212.