CORY Sagar came through the same amateur gym in Barnsley as Callum Simpson and now they will fight on the same professional show for the first time this weekend.

Middleweight Sagar, 21, is due to fight for the fifth time in his professional career when he takes on journeyman Joe Hardy at Leeds Arena.

Unbeaten Cory’s first three professional fights were at the Magna Centre in Rotherham and his latest at the Metrodome a month ago. He came through at Barnsley Star ABC where he was coached by his grandfather Jon Sagar who was also one of European champion Simpson’s first coaches.

Sagar said: “Big thanks to Callum for getting me on the show

“As soon as I found out it was possible, I wanted it, even though I had another fight coming up that week.

“I have gone straight from one camp into another. Callum doesn’t have to go out of his way to help other Barnsley lads but he does. He’s a smashing kid and really down to earth.

“I’ve known him for years and he’s the kind of person who, if he can help you, he will. I don’t think you will ever seen another show like this, with three Barnsley lads on in Leeds.

“My fight and Jake Jon Cleary’s fight are both Barnsley versus Leeds so hopefully we can do our town proud.

“Hopefully I perform well then stay on Callum’s undercard next year at Oakwell. It will be a proud moment for my granddad, watching me and Cal on the same show. He will really enjoy it.”

Sagar, from Worsbrough Common, has stopped working as a bricklayer to focus on his boxing training, with two or three sessions per day. He is hoping it pays off in his latest fight against Hardy who has already fought 16 times this year, including last week when he suffered a 41st loss from 47 professional bouts. He said: “A big stage needs a big performance. It’s on the telly, there are more people to impress, but I know I’ve got a job to do which is to win.

“I will just focus on the fight and do what I have got to do. But at the same time I will enjoy it because it’s a big opportunity. I haven’t looked into my opponent so don’t know much about him. He boxed last weekend and lost. I don’t know what is going to turn up but I treat every fight like a world title fight.”