Ricky Hatton may be the headline act at the Wembley Conference Centre on Monday, but the most famous name on the bill is on the undercard.

Ross Minter, son of the former undisputed world middleweight champion Alan, makes his professional debut.

The 22-year-old welterweight will take on an experienced Birmingham based journeyman Brian Coleman on what he, and his father, hope will be the first steps towards a career to capture public imagination as Alan's once did.

Ross was just two-years-old when Alan won the world title from Vito Antuofermo at Caesar's Palace in 1980.

But he grew up with little personal contact with his father after his parents split up while he was still a small boy.

Yet the fighting Minter genes were soon apparent when he walked into a boxing gym with a friend, at the age of 15 and was quickly smitten with the sport.

"I didn't really know who my dad was, or what he'd done," the younger Minter said. "I just didn't know he was such a big name.

"Then, when I started boxing I would look at the films of my dad and think: 'Wow, he was amazing'."

Minter Jnr. was taken under the wing of his grandfather, Doug Bidwell, the same trainer who had helped guide Alan to the top.

But, when Bidwell died of cancer two years ago, it was his father to whom the young fighter turned.

"We have become so close, more like friends than father and son," says Ross.

"And I realise that we are very similar in many ways. He doesn't interfere in what I am doing, but he's there if I need him."

Now 49-years-old, Alan looks fitter than he has for years and the pride in his son is clear for all to see.

After years when he was an infrequent visitor to fights, his enthusiasm for boxing has been rekindled and he will be at Wembley to watch Ross.

"I find it hard to put into words what I feel. Sometimes, I'm more nervous than he is. It's a big thing, stepping into your first professional fight, but he'll be alright," said Minter Snr.

"I enjoyed it as a fighter, but it's a tough game. I don't want to be putting my spoke in, and I won't be making any assumptions or predictions, except that I think he will do well."

As an amateur, Ross had a useful rather than outstanding record suffering seven defeats in 50 fights and narrowly missing out on an international cap.

"It was difficult getting into the ring with my name. Everybody wanted to be the one to beat me, more than if I'd been Ross Smith or Jones.

"And I think that some of the amateur judges gave me some bad decisions because of who I was.

"My grandfather always said I would be better suited to the pro game, so now we'll see.

"I'm under pressure to live up to my father's name, but there are a lot who will be there cheering for me and I think I can give them what they want."