Alfie Middlemiss is no stranger to lights, cameras or action.

The 21-year-old featherweight comes from an acting family and has a long list of television credits himself.

The time Middlemiss spent on set taught him the importance of rehearsing and practicing until things become second nature. He also knows how to deal with the pressure of then having to go out and hit his marks in front of a live audience and crew.

Nowadays however, the consequences of fluffing his lines are far greater.

"I'm living my dream," said Middlemiss (3-0) whose father Phil, starred in Britain’s longest running soap opera "Coronation Street" for years.

"I could have done a lot of other stuff. I came from a family who do acting but I just love boxing. I love to fight, and I think this path's meant for me.

"No one in my family went the boxing route, no one at all. I've always been a competitive kid though, always loved sports, competing at the highest level and boxing was made for me. All the pressure is on you and that's what I love. Pressure makes diamonds, I've said that quite a few times but it's true and I'm ready to get on the big stage."

Acting was just one avenue that Middlemiss could have chosen to pursue. The only certainty was that whichever path he chose to go down, he wanted to be in charge of his own destiny.

"I used to play football and cricket at a high level but I always just loved batting," he said. "I was more bothered about what score I got rather than the team winning. That's not really the best thing is it, really? Boxing is definitely my thing."

This isn't another case of a former actor trying to build their profile by capitalising on the current boxing boom.

Middlemiss boxed as an amateur for years and won English and North West championships. He was training with Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis at their gym in Walkden for some time and has started to develop into a neat and tidy box-fighter since turning professional last year. He will next box on the undercard of the welterweight fight between his gym mate, Jack Catterall and Harlem Eubank at Manchester’s AO Arena on July 5th.

"My style's always been suited for the professional game," he said. "I was boxing in the professional gym for years before as an amateur and everyone said my style would translate well. It has done so far but I want to show a different side of me. I want to go in there and put on an exciting performance July 5th and get that knockout."

Moore was an all action, aggressive fighter but he likes his fighters to box to their strengths. What does he think of Middlemiss’ plan?

"He says don't take the chances but I'm in ambush mode on July 5th and I'm going to show everyone what I'm all about."

Since turning professional on a People’s Fighters event in December 2024, Middlemiss has boxed on Queensberry and Matchroom events and the opportunities should continue to come thick and fast.

Moore’s gym is home to established championship level fighters that Middlemiss can look up to and also young, promising professionals who he can grow and improve alongside.

He should be able to follow in the slipstream of fighters like Catterall, cruiserweight prospect Pat Brown and undefeated light-heavyweight Conner Tudsbury, who seem certain to be involved in big fights for years to come.

"A professional camp is so different to being an amateur but I've got great role models in the gym. Jack Catterall is the consummate professional and looking up to someone like him, you can sort of model your own training, your own career off of him," he said.

"I've got great role models and people in the gym that I can follow and it's only paying dividends for my own career.

"I'm always in the gym. I’m a gym rat. They make a joke that I'm always living in the gym under the ring, I've always got my hands wrapped so I'm always ready to spar. I just love the game, I love boxing, and you know what they say; when you love something you never work a day in your life."