JOHN Wayne Hibbert has been given a third chance to beat old rival Dave Ryan – and the Horndon boxer knows it could be his last.

Hibbert has two previous defeats to Commonwealth champion Ryan on his record.

The latest loss came in a thrilling dust-up at the O2 Arena in May when Hibbert twice knocked Ryan down only to be stopped himself in the ninth round.

It was an absorbing bout, dubbed by many as the fight of the year, and now the pair have agreed to do it all again, once more at the O2, on September 12.

This time, not only will the light-welterweight Commonwealth and WBC International belts be on the line, the British title could be up for grabs too.

“It was not a hard deal to get done,” Hibbert, 30, said.

“It’s the fight the public want to see and it made financial sense.

“I think we are both at that point in our careers now where we want to earn as much money as possible from the sport.”

Hibbert remains confident in his ability and believes he has the beating of Ryan.

A change in diet forced him to lose a lot of weight before the second fight which he believes contributed to him running out of steam later in that fight.

And he has taken steps to make sure that won’t happen again.

“I wouldn’t have taken the fight if I didn’t think I could win,” he said.

“I did a few things wrong before the last fight.

“I perhaps did not give him the complete respect he deserved and I’ve changed my diet this time around.

“My whole team is focused on this fight. It could end up being my last if it goes the wrong way, but I’m 100 per cent confident I will win.”

> Tickets for the fight night at the O2, which will also include Anthony Joshua on the bill, can be bought from John Wayne at either £40, £60, £80, £100 or £130 while a VIP ticket is £250.

Call 07938 660516 or contact John Wayne on Twitter at @JWHIBBERT or on Facebook. Hibbert has a new main sponsor, JVH Building Supplies, as well as other backers Capwell Design Ltd, Dean Crumpton, Reed’s Butchers, Impulse Leisure, JV Building Supplies and Simon James IT.

He is also backing the Karis May Darling Foundation.