Michael Grant

TOTTENHAM’S Michael Grant has vowed ‘everything will be different’ ahead of his return to the ring on Saturday after a year away from the sport.

Grant, one of the most exciting young light welterweight prospects to explode onto the British boxing scene in recent years, will appear at the Steve Goodwin-promoted ‘Unleash the Fury’ event in Bethnal Green.

The north London fighter and formerABA champion dropped off the radar in February 2010 following his surprise loss to Steve Williams in their clash for the vacant English title.

But now, after Nathan Wise dropped out of Saturday’s show, Grant has put himself forward as replacement, surprisingly choosing to enter the fray at lightweight rather than his usual division.

“There were a lot of things outside boxing that were happening in my life and I really needed to sort that out first,” said Grant, who trains at TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town. “I can’t box if I’m not 100 per cent.

“Every time I get in the ring I want to be 100 per cent, but I couldn’t do that at the time. Now I’m back, and back in full effect.

“I think I will be a lot stronger at lightweight. At light welter I could handle the weight, I could compete against people at that weight, even those who were a lot bigger than me, but I feel I’ll be even stronger at lightweight.

“This time out is different. My attitude, my discipline to the sport, everything is different this time.

“It’s going to be amazing, everyone will be shocked when they see me back in.

“As a lightweight I’m going to be stopping a lot more people and going all the way. Whether it’s six, 10 or 12 rounds, it doesn’t matter. I feel a lot stronger in myself, mentally and physically.”

Grant takes on an as yet un-named opponent on the undercard of the Toks Owoh versus Billy Boyle event, while main support comes in the shape of Grant’s TKO team-mate, the exciting London-based Dutch cruiserweight Mitchell Balker, who fights Doncaster’s John Anthony.

The ‘Unleash the Fury’ undercard features some of London’s best upcoming boxing talents and includes yet another of Michael’s gym-mates ‘Dynamo’ Daryl Setterfield, against Birmingham’s Andrew ‘Paddy’ Patterson.

Tickets for the event at York Hall are on sale now, priced at £35 for unreserved seats and £60 for ringside.

For tickets call 07960 850645, book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.