Learner entering boxing contest steps up (6)
I believe the answer is:
flight
'steps up' is the definition.
'flight' can be an answer for 'steps' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'up' bit.
'learner entering boxing contest' is the wordplay.
'learner' becomes 'l' (as in a learner driver with L-plates on their car).
'entering' is an insertion indicator.
'boxing contest' becomes 'fight' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'l' inserted within 'fight' is 'FLIGHT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for flight that I've seen before include "the vanquished may take?" , "Series of steps" , "Air force unit; running away" , "Voyage of an aircraft" , "Journey made by plane" .)