JOHN Brennan aims to stake his claim for the Southern Area title when he returns to the ring at York Hall, Bethnal Green, this Saturday.

Slough-based Brennan, 30, was last seen winning the British Challenge light middle-weight title with a win against Bulgarian Stanislav Nenkov over eight rounds back in October 2015.

It was a win he dedicated to his two children and grandmother, and saw him fulfill a career ambition when topping the bill at a packed Centre in Farnham Road.

Brennan has since had to battle a knee injury but, with the help of sports therapist Matt Symonds, will return to the ring against an opponent to be announced with the renewed ambition of furthering his career.

“I’m marking time with this fight and trying to get the rounds in, hoping to bet back into the picture for the Southern Area title,” the boxing star told the Observer.

“I have kept the Challenge belt but will relinquish the title because I want to move on to bigger and better things.

“I’ve had around six weeks to get ready for this fight and ticket sales have gone really well. The promoters (Dove) are helping to expose the careers of local boxers as well.

“The training has gone really well, sparring and strength and conditioning. I’ve had financial help from my sponsors Site watch UK and AWCi as well, they help out with expenditure.

“I feel extremely confident as the training has been as good as ever – one of the best camps – now that I have left football alone. I have reined in the football a little. I pick and choose when to play just to keep the buzz going.”

Brennan added: “Before my last fight I ruptured the ACL in my knee and needed intense physio sessions, which seem to have done it a treat. I’ve had six weeks of intense physio with Matt as he knows all about sports rehabilitation, and it all seems to have worked out well.

“It was recommended that I have an operation to put a false cartilage in my knee, but it would have put me out for a long time and the recovery process can go on for a while. It’s something I can get done later in time.”

He declared: “I’m definitely looking to go for the Southern Area title next.

“There are a number of very good fighters in the area, but I’m working to keep my ranking up and my CV shows that I’m good enough.”

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