A WRESTLER from Blackdog says he is excited ahead of his trip to join a development league in America.

Joel Pettyfer, known as Joel Redman on stage, will jet off to Florida to train for a spot on the international television show World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

Joel, 25, who worked as a forester alongside his current wrestling work, will now aim to become a wrestling icon full-time.

The Tiverton-born former East Devon College student said: “I am really looking forward to it and it will be a good experience to move out there.

“I used to watch wrestling as a kid and I have been doing it for around seven years.”

Joel used to play rugby and judo before wrestling became his ambition and he said he hopes to have convinced his parents it is a suitable career step.

He said: “They weren’t keen on me doing it at first because there is not a lot of money involved with it in the UK.

“But there are a lot more opportunities in America, and more money, so|they are okay with it now they know I can be financially secure doing wrestling.”

Joel will be wrestling for the last time in this country on March 31 at the Heathcoat Social Club in Tiverton from 6.30pm.

Tickets are £8 for adults and £6 for children or £25 for a family ticket (two plus two) and are available from JTS Partytime in the high street or tickets can be reserved on 07826-539664.