JOHN Wayne Hibbert admitted he found it tough to drag himself off the floor after coming so close to earning a world title shot, but says he is now back in the game.

The Horndon-on-the-Hill boxer was beaten by Italian Andrea Scarpa in June, with the fight stopped in the sixth round as Hibbert bid to win the WBC Silver super-lightweight title.

Now 31, Hibbert says the past two months have been difficult, knowing victory in that bout at the 02 Arena would have given him the world title shot he has craved.

“It hasn’t been a great few months,” admitted Hibbert. “I was very down and got told before the Scarpa fight that, if I won, I had a world title shot against Ricky Burns and that would have been huge.

“It was devastating and I didn’t see any way to come back from that defeat at the time.

“But it was my kids (Lexi and Connor) that gave me the boost I needed a told me I could do it and now I am back in training.”

Although his next opponent has not yet been confirmed, Hibbert says a deal to get back into the ring this year has already been signed.

Rumour is rife that it will be Hull’s Tommy Coyle, who was beaten by Tyrone Nurse in July as he bid to win the British super lightweight title.

Whoever it may be, the bout is expected to take place at the end of November and Hibbert said he was already working towards it.

“It was all sorted a few weeks ago and I am very excited about it,” he said. “I was considering moving up to welterweight but I am sticking where I am.

“My strength & conditioning coach Alex Breading has been working so well with me. He has done the diet with me and it is superb and I feel really sharp.

“I can’t wait to get back out there and get another shot at a world title.”