Blackpool boxer ready to put on a show as he prepares to make remarkable comeback to the ring after EIGHT years in retirement

Blackpool boxer Jeff Thomas makes his long-awaited return to the ring this weekend after eight years in retirement.

The 38-year-old, who last fought in 2012, has decided to don the boxing gloves once more to give it one last shot as a professional.

Thomas previously won 11 of his 21 fights but decided to call it a day after beating Andrew Patterson on points at the Winter Gardens in his last bout, instead opting to focus on his coaching.

But the lightweight, who takes on journeyman Dale Arrowsmith in a four-rounder in Colne on Saturday night, has rediscovered the drive to return to the professional ranks.

“I can’t wait for this weekend, it’s going to be really good,” he said.

“Training has gone well and everything has gone to plan, so I can’t wait to get back in there.

“I’m quite familiar with my opponent. He’s a talented lad, a journeyman, but he’s due a win.

“If I was boxing a guy that is 38 yards old and hasn’t fought for eight years then I’d be fancying an upset, so I’m expecting him to go for the win.

“I think he’ll come and have a fight rather than just go through the rounds. I think he’ll come to win but if I can start sharply I should keep him on the defensive.

“If the stoppage comes, that will be great, but I’m quite happy to do the rounds as well. It doesn’t make any difference to me.

“Even though I haven’t fought a professional fight for eight years, I’ve still had fights so it’s not like I’m coming into this completely fresh.

“I’m really excited and I think I’ll put on a really good performance.”

Thomas was originally due to make his return in November of last year, but his scheduled bout had to be cancelled due to a delay in getting medical clearance from the British Boxing Board of Control.

The Board eventually passed him to fight ahead of this weekend, which Thomas is hoping will be the start of a late run to claim the Central Area title in the welterweight division.

Thomas, who fought three-time world champion Ricky Burns in 2004, will become one of just a handful of boxers to fight in four separate decades have originally fought in the 1990s as an amateur - before turning professional in 2001.

Also on the bill in Colne is Fleetwood middleweight Dan Catlin, who will be turning out for just his fifth fight as a professional.

The 20-year-old is coached by Thomas, who is predicting big things for his student.

“Dan is absolutely tremendous,” Thomas said.

“He’s such a privilege to train with because he’s such a professional.

“He is going places, he will go much further than I ever did. He’s only 20 but he’s improving all the time.

“I’m really excited for him to keep going.”

Thomas added: “I’d like to thank Chris Daniels at Hard Knocks Gym on Poulton Industrial Estate, he’s really helped me get ready for the fight.

“He runs a lot of good classes for people of all ages and I love training down there because it’s always good fun.”

Meanwhile, Blackpool welterweight Craig Sumner makes his professional debut against MJ Hall on a bill in Bolton.