Morecambe boxer Owen 'The Captain' Kirk hopes for Fight of the Year on ring return

Morecambe fighter Owen 'The Captain' Kirk expects another thrilling battle for boxing fans when he returns to the ring this weekend.

Kirk will face Stockport's Rhys Woods in the headline fight at Bolton Whites Hotel on Saturday July 15 and says he's going to be "right in front" of his opponent.

The bout will mark the middleweight's return to the ring after injury, for the first time since he fought Doncaster's Jake Bray to a thrilling toe-to-toe draw in October 2022.

Speaking to the VIPBoxingPromotions YouTube channel, Owen said: "I'm going to be right in front of him swinging bombs.

"By the sounds of how Rhys is talking and how I'm planning on beating him, we should be in for a Fight of the Year contender. I'm going out from Round 1 and having it.

"I am what I am. I can turn up, have a scrap, like the last fight I had, or get behind my jab and give someone a boxing lesson.

"I've been destroying people in sparring. I live and breathe and sleep for boxing. It's my life."

'The Captain' trains with local boxing coach Bob Howard (left), who also works with world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, his brothers Tommy Fury (pictured centre) and Roman Fury, and Morecambe featherweight Isaac Lowe.

"Bob has got that level of experience...I'm learning things that the elite learn," said Owen.

"He has been studying Rhys like a book. He's got a plan A-Z and Z-A for everything Rhys has got for me. It's down to me to execute it on the night."

Kirk's record as a professional is 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat.

Doors open at 6.30pm on Saturday night. Go to www.vipboxing.co.uk or message Owen for ticket details.

Read more: Morecambe boxer 'Captain' Kirk throws down gauntlet to Tyson Fury's promoter after entertaining draw - Beyond Radio