I’m coming back as a better, tougher boxer

Brett Egan…looking to return to the ring next month

FOR Brett Egan, the wait for a fight date has been frustrating.

The tall Erdington welter was geared-up for a return this month, then he was pencilled in for a November 4 show. That is no longer taking place.

Egan, who last boxed in April, is confident he’ll be in the ring in November and will be a better all round fighter for his seven months on the sidelines.

“It’s hard,” Brett, who has a very healthy following, told me, “because training is a lot easier when you have a name and a date. But I’m good, got my weight down and will definitely be fighting at welter.

“My mentality’s better, I’m mentally tougher,” he said. “I was 29 last week and need to be active.”

Egan last saw ring action at Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn where he gained one sided, four rounds points victory over Liam Fox. That brought his record to five wins in six.

On the very eve of his seventh outing, Brett – a likeable, laid-back individual – announced he needed a break from the sport and bravely spoke publicly about his on-going battle with mental health issues.

He is no longer in a dark place and burning for a ring return. “To be honest, I missed being punched in the face,” he told me.

He is a talented, skilful boxer, able to punch it out or take points behind a long, stiff jab. This game is about levels and it will be interesting to see if Brett carries the same authority when he steps up.

The sole loss came in Tommy Owens’ Top Boxer welterweight tournament, a last-man-standing competition of three-round bouts.

Brett impressed in the quarter-finals, but was halted in the semis by Taylor Greig.

“That was down to lack of experience,” he said. “I hadn’t experienced a situation like that. I was hurt and had never been hurt before in my life. I should’ve backed off, but charged in.”

Brett is sensibly taking a “one fight at a time” approach to his career.

“How far can this journey take me? I’m not sure,” he added. “I’d like to get a Midlands title. I know the longer distances will bring the best out of me. I start slowly and start to come alive as a fight goes on. It’s the same in sparring.”

There are good bouts out there for Egan. A clash between Nuneaton’s unbeaten Ashlee Eales, with the Midlands title on the line, would be a cracker.