Islington super-bantamweight Jules Phillips is getting ready to go to war – four months after leaving the Army behind.

The 21-year-old, who won a Haringey Box Cup gold medal during his amateur days with Times ABC, has turned professional and will make his debut at York Hall next month.

And Phillips, who spent three years in the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, based near Portsmouth, believes the switch to the paid ranks will agree perfectly with his approach.

“I think I’m more suited to the professional style because it’s a lot more composed than amateur boxing, which is faster-paced,” Phillips told the Gazette.

“It’s quite a big difference – this is more of a fight in a way. The rounds are longer so you’ve got more time to show what you’ve got – you need to look good and use your skills a lot more.

“I’ve been to York Hall a few times but this is going to be the first time I’ve fought there and that’s something that hasn’t really hit me yet. I’m sure it will hit me on the night though.

“I did a little bit of boxing while I was in the Army and the three years definitely helped me to mature and gave me more discipline. But I’d had enough and wanted to follow my dream of professional boxing.”

Phillips, who grew up on Caledonian Road, joined Times at the age of 15 and competed in the national novices championship, along with his 2012 Haringey Box Cup triumph at bantamweight.

Although he boxed just 11 times as an amateur, Phillips is convinced that the time was right to turn over, particularly after canvassing the view of his good friend Louis Isaacs, a double London champion with Lion ABC.

“We were sparring partners – we used to have really good sparring and we became good mates,” said Phillips, who now trains with Rod Julian at his gym in Chingford.

“He’s a great influence on me and he said ‘go for it, you’re good enough’. I would have carried on doing more amateur boxing but I researched it a lot and I felt going pro was something I really wanted to do.

“I’m really looking forward to my debut. There’s no point in going into something and thinking you’ll only take it so far – I’m aiming to go all the way, definitely.

“My favourite boxer was Arturo Gatti for the way he kept going and the way he always showed lots of heart. I’d like to think I can do the same – keep going and never give up.”

Phillips will box over four rounds on a Stephen Goodwin Promotions bill on Saturday September 17. For ticket information, call 07508 452 675.