Norfolk boxer Ryan Walsh says he wants to become a two-time British champion.
Walsh, from Cromer, will return to the ring on Sunday following almost two years of inactivity.
He will face Russia’s Rustem Fatkhullin in Norwich, looking for the 28th win of his 34-fight pro career.
“It does feel a bit like a comeback because I’ve been away for so long, There’s just something left to do and I’d like to go out of boxing on my terms,” the 37-year-old said.
He previously held the British featherweight title for five years from September 2015 to September 2020 and his six defences of the crown are the joint most alongside Ronnie Clayton and Howard Winstone.
Walsh was last in the ring in March 2022 when he lost to Maxi Hughes via a unanimous points decision in an IBO lightweight world title fight in Leeds and says it took him a while to get over that defeat.
“I love this sport too much to finish on that type of performance, that type of feeling. I owe it to myself to have one big push.,” he told BBC Radio Norfolk.
“There’s just something left, I think this British title run is something I’m really excited by.”
Walsh’s career – and those of his boxing brothers Michael and Liam – has been guided since he was a teenager by trainer and manager Graham Everett,
He said: “Graham is not just a trainer, he’s not just a manager, he’s not just a friend, he’s a boxing dad. I’m not his favourite though – that’s Liam.”
Both Walsh’s brothers are now retired from the ring; Michael finished his career unbeaten, but it is Liam who is regarded as one of the best boxers to ever come out of Norfolk.
He is a former British and Commonwealth super-featherweight champion and challenged for the IBF world title, a losing effort against America’s Gervonta Davis at the Copperbox Arena in London in May 2017.
‘Farmy Army’
Walsh believes the fight against Fatkhullin is likely to be the last time one of the brothers fights in their home county.
“I couldn’t be more excited because I genuinely believe this is the last time you’ll see me or my brothers in a professional ring in Norwich, I can’t see how we’d do it again.
“I’d like to sign off with a really good performance with my brothers (watching), because we will all be together.”
“I want to thank the loyal, faithful, best bunch of boxing fans that this country has seen out of such a small city. From night one when they followed me at the Excel Arena in London 15 years ago, the ‘Farmy Army’ has always made an impression.”
Walsh has suffered just four defeats in his 15-year pro career and knows this is will be his last run at glory inside the ring as he looks for a fight with current British lightweight champion Gavin Gwynne.
“This is what I impart on the young pros in the gym – enjoy the ride because it goes fast,” he added. “I wish I’d have had 10 or 15 more fights but its been some ride.”
