Egan in better place and on the way back

Brett Egan with his father and grandfather in background

BRETT Egan, the tall Birmingham welter prospect, is back – and itching for a scrap.

Today (Wednesday) the Erdington fighter with a huge following announced his intentions to fight on. “To be honest, I’ve missed being punched in the face,” he laughed.

That’s a boost for the local game. “Bam Bam” Egan is a talented lad with the capability of claiming titles. He has lost only one of six – and that defeat came in a three round bout on Tommy Owens’ Top Boxer tournament.

Both Sam Eggington and Kaisee Benjamin were beaten in similar competitions and went on to achieve much bigger things.

The news of Brett’s return comes months after the 28-year-old bravely spoke publicly of his on-going battle with mental health issues: a move that, hopefully, has helped others.

With a fight only weeks away, Egan – supported by manager Jon Pegg – announced he needed a break from the game: “My head is all over the place,” he said back then. Losing his job as a civil engineer added to the blackness that threatened to envelop the athlete.

Today, things are looking up. He returned to work a month ago and is gradually getting back to his gym routine.

“I’m ready to come back,” he told me. “My head is in a lot better place, I do feel I need to come back. I’ve been in darker places, but it was pretty bad this time. I’m a lot better, but still not one hundred per cent, there are still bad days.

“My manager, coaches and stablemates have supported me all the way and I’m so grateful for that.”

He added: “It did cross my mind that I wouldn’t fight again. There’s a show in September, but I wouldn’t be ready for that.

“I definitely want a fight before Christmas. You’ll see a different, better Brett Egan under those lights next time.”