The Lion roars again! Blackpool boxer Brian Rose heads to Spain to make his long-awaited return to the ring

The 36-year-old takes on former Spanish champion Lopez Clavero in a six-rounder in Barcelona on Saturday, March 20.

It will be the middleweight’s first bout since losing on points to Anthony Fowler in August 2019.

Rose (record: 31-1-6) told The Gazette: “I got offered a fight in America against Matchroom prospect Nikita Ababiy, which I took straight away, but they pulled out.

“Obviously the Scott Fitzgerald fight never materialised. I’ve been going on and on so much about that it got boring. It got to the point I was making myself look silly calling him out all the time.

“I just thought if any opportunity comes my way, I’ll take it. That’s what happened.

“I can’t wait around, I’m getting older. My new manager found me a slot in Spain and I jumped at the chance, because I’m willing to fight anywhere.

“This fight will get me back in the rankings, it’ll get me back in the British Title picture. I’m classed as an inactive fighter right now so as soon I’ve won this fight, the big fights come back into the mix.”

Clavero, also aged 36, has won 13 of his 28 professional fights, losing 14 and drawing once.

“I don’t know much about him,” Rose admitted.

“He’s got a half-and-half record but he’s only ever lost to good operators and he’s not been stopped many times.

“He’s obviously tough, so I’m not looking past him. But if I can’t beat someone like this guy, there’s no point in me doing it.

“I’m doing this for the big moments and the big opportunities. This is my last go at it, so I’m going to give it my all.”

Rose, a former world title challenger and British title holder, has recently made the move from MTK Global to former pro boxer Kieran Farrell.

Explaining the decision to change management team, Rose said: “MTK have always been really good to me, they’ve got me the right fights and have never done me wrong.

“I just felt like I was a small fish in a big pond because they’ve signed so many good fighters and they seemed so busy.

“With the pandemic, I just wanted to speak to someone and be able to ring them every day, so I literally badger Kieran every day.

“I used to train with Kieran with Bobby Rimmer years ago, so I’ve known him for over 10 years. To be managed by him is so much easier.

“It’s just easier to communicate with him because he hasn’t got as many fighters and he’s my friend at the end of the day, so I think it’s going to work. It’s a perfect time for me to sign with someone like Kieran.

“He sees me as a big name and a big signing, so it’s done him the world of good. He does a lot of match-making for Matchroom as well, so he’s on the up in a managing sense.”

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here