MARK Alexander is out to prove that age is just a number and not an obstacle when he makes his competitive return to action on Saturday, April 8.

Alexander, 47, has been away from combat sport for five years but returns on the Blackbeard Fight Series show at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead.

The Slough sensation will face Ryan Gallagher from Newcastle for a heavyweight title in white collar boxing and kickboxing.

Alexander thought he was too old to compete but has been talked into a return by Nomaan Khalid, the head coach at Blackbeard MMA, and has hopes of beating 25-year-old Gallagher.

“I do a lot of weight training and keep pretty fit but I do like to have a little tear up every now and again, so that’s why I came back,” he told the Observer.

“Predominantly to start with it was fitness, but I missed that competitive thing in my life and I wanted to train with friends that I had made, so it just worked well for me.

“The training has been tough. We started in August and we’re training three or four times a week at the moment, and there’s a lot of sparring going on now.”

Alexander continued: “Ryan is being flown in by Nomaan and is obviously confident he’s going to give me a good kick-in, but I’m hoping to send him home with different thoughts in his mind.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Mark Alexander has joined the Blackbeard MMA club in the Active8 Gym in Slough.

“It would just give me a sense of self-achievement that even at the age of 47 I can still compete, and that age is just a number and not an obstacle.

“If I win then I may go again. It’s for a title so I’m sure Nomaan would like me to defend it.

“To start off it was a one-off in my head but, the fitter I’m getting and the better I feel, I may have one fight left after that, we will see.”

Alexander is a member of the Blackbeard MMA club at the Activ8 Gym in Mill Street, Slough, and recommends others to join.

He said: “The club gives you a lot of discipline.

“It’s not overly strict here but they want you to concentrate and you’ve got to give 100 per cent.

“What you get out is supreme fitness and you meet some great people. They’re very friendly and welcome people from different ethnicities.”

For tickets and more information call: 07913 328035

GOOGLE MAP: The Active8 Gym and Blackbeard MMA club is located in Mill Street, Slough