BOXING: John Wayne Hibbert returns to the boxing arena this weekend when he takes on former footballer Curtis Woodhouse.

Hibbert, 33, will travel north to fight in the Doncaster Dome in front of Woodhouse’s home support this Saturday.

It is the Horndon-on-the-Hill man’s first bout since he defeated Arvydas Trizno on points in his comeback fight last July.

And the welterweight boxer says he is fully focused ahead of the encounter, which is scheduled for 12 rounds.

“We are both getting older and it is huge for both of us,” said Hibbert. “I am focused on the fight and feel confident.

“I have respect for Curtis. He is a former British champion and they don’t give titles like that away easily.

“I know I will be in for a tough fight and I want to put on a great fight for the fans, as he will.”

The fight is an eliminator for the Commonwealth title, with the victor hoping for a shot at Commonwealth ruler Kris George in the future.

To see how Hibbert gets on, visit thurrockgazette.co.uk/sport.