Blackpool boxer Jeff Thomas hoping his successful return from retirement will inspire others to turn their lives around

It comes after the 38-year-old made a winning return on Saturday night after eight years in retirement.

The lightweight claimed a points win over Dale Arrowsmith in Colne, taking his record to 12 victories from his 22 bouts.

Thomas has endured a tough time of it during his lengthy spell out of the ring, his struggles hitting a peak three years ago when he suffered a motorbike accident.

But, thanks to boxing, Thomas now has a purpose back in his life.

“I’ve always loved boxing - ever since I was a little boy,” he explained.

“It has been my escape in life. It’s been a distraction from difficulty and the ‘realities’ we are often faced with, the unfortunate circumstances that everyone as a human has to deal with at one time or another.

“About three years ago I came off my motorbike and suffered a severe shoulder injury that required reconstructive surgery.

“I lost use of my left arm and could barely raise it above my waist. I gained quite a lot of weight even though I tried to stay active and all my goals disappeared.

“It was at this point that I started to feel quite up and down mentally. People who really knew me a few years ago will remember in my younger years I became quite a bad person in my life - I did a lot of things that I wish I hadn’t and almost ended up in jail.

“This new low point in my life just felt like karma had finally come calling. I saw no way out.

“The reality was I was hugely frustrated and on the back of personal difficulties, a few very upsetting events and a very stressful job that often sees me on the front line of the worst circumstances society has to offer - life was catching up with me.

“I felt like I had nothing to give anyone. Not even my sons. I felt like their world might be better without me. I was never suicidal but I was indifferent about life. I felt worthless.

“But then the best thing happened for me - I got angry. Not with anyone in particular, mostly with myself.

“Things had to change. I got back in the gym and I set a goal of fighting again. I did it to distract me from all the other stuff that I had brought on myself and of course the things that you can’t control too.

“It seems like a narcissistic thing to do - fighting - all eyes on me. But this isn’t actually so much about me.

“This is about you and the message that I can give you - that you are not hopeless and if one person reads this, and they need it and it resonates with them then great, it's already worth it.

“You have the power to change the direction of your life. All it takes is hard work and fire, anger - it feels like but it’s something else. Something positive.

“I will be champion by the time this all ends - that’s important to me and the little boy inside of me who started this journey so many years ago.

“But more important to you is to remember that you are in charge of your life and that you can always find a way forward no matter how hopeless things can seem.

“Set a goal that gives to others and you will find a way forward in almost any set of circumstances.”

Thomas’ training partner Dan Catlin was also in action on Saturday night, the Fleetwood middleweight maintaining his perfect record with a knockout win against Scott Williams in his fifth fight.

In Bolton, Blackpool welterweight Craig Sumner won on his debut with a points victory against Luke Middleton.