A HARWICH wrestler is set to enter the ring to face off against a British wrestling champion in a hard-hitting event in Dovercourt.

In the build up to the Ha’Penny Havoc 3 wrestling event in February, the Wrestling League will stage a free outdoor show at Dovercourt Skating Rink, in the town’s Lower Marine Parade.

BattleRink will be held on July 30, with a student from a Harwich wrestling school, which was founded earlier this year, fighting in the main event.

The event will see Harry Mant, 19, of Laurel Avenue, facing off against British champion Pastor William Eaver.

Harry is a pupil at the Harwich School of Slam, started by Mark Young, of the Wrestling League, to give people with a passion for wrestling an opportunity to learn the ropes.

Mark said: “The wrestling school has been a major success, we get 20 people every week.

“My goal was to get someone eventually to wrestle in a show.

“This guy is going to be the main event at the next show in Harwich.

“He was hand-picked by the coach and he will be fighting the cur rent British champion.”

He added: “Every week of the school has been amazing, there could be four or five others competing in this match.

“It is crazy to think how far they have come so quickly .

“We have people of all ages in the school.

“We have a 14-year-old girl who will be the next Harry Mant – she is brilliant.

Harry was stunned to discover he would feature in the main event, against a wrestler he has long admired.

“I was really shocked,” he said.

“I didn’t know if it was just a joke at first.

“It is a very proud moment. It has been my dream to get into wrestling.

“The school has been really good.

"I have always wanted a wrestling school in Harwich.

“I was actually a big fan of Pastor already and I was excited to hear he was going to be here.

“Then a few days later I was told ‘you’ll be wrestling him’.”

Four other match-ups will be announced in the lead-up to the event.

Running alongside the action will be a wide variety of stalls, hot food, drink and a bar.

Tickets for the wrestling are free and £5 buys a wristband for use of the fun inflatables after 3.30pm.

Organisers are still searching for local businesses interested in sponsoring the event.

The action starts at 11am on July 30.

To book a free ticket, go to simplyskating.co.uk.