Ulverston super lightweight Ryan Watson will be returning to the boxing ring for the first time in close to two years when he takes on journeyman Qasim Hussain at Bolton on Friday night.

The last of the 32-year-old’s three professional fights so far came back in November 2017 when he defeated Kristian Laight on points and this is set to be a full-time return for Watson, who has been focusing on training other boxers.

He started up Watsons Boxing and Fitness in his home town in April last year and until the addition of coaches Jason Brewer and Rob Milburn to his staff, this was his sole focus.

However, with those two now taking some of the burden off him, Watson felt that the time was right for him to making a comeback.

Watson said: “Obviously, I built up my own gym which meant I was a bit in and out of boxing and it meant that I wasn’t able to box myself, but now I’ve got two other coaches helping out in the gym, it now means that I can fight pro myself again.

“The gym is working great and without Jason and Rob, this return wouldn’t have been possible.”

After putting other boxers through their paces for the majority of the last 18 months, Watson is having to get used to going through a training camp himself again.

He hasn’t been alone, however, as his trainer Johnney Roye is also the man responsible for getting Barrovian trio Liam Conroy, Mike McGoldrick and Ross Cooksey in top condition.

Watson said: “Mike and Ross are both my old gym mates when we trained together as amateurs and it’s good being back in the gym with them again.

“Obviously, Liam Conroy is boxing with MTK as well, so it’s a really good atmosphere down there and I get on with all the lads, so I’m really happy that everything is going great.

“My coach, Johnney Roye, is one of the best coaches out there - he knows his stuff and I’m learning loads from him, which obviously I can pass on to my own boxers.”