Skeete shooting for the WBO European super-welter title

Bradley Skeete will challenge Hamzah Sheeraz for the WBO European super-welterweight title at the Copper Box Arena on December 4.

Tooting-born Skeete, who was a top amateur for Earlsfield ABC, made three unbeaten defences of the British welterweight title that he took from Sam Eggington before relinquishing the belt.

Ilford’s Sheeraz (13-0, 9 KOs) who now trains in California, will be making the fourth defence of his belt and bidding for an eighth consecutive inside the distance win.

Skeete (29-3, 14 KOs) is training up in Sheffield with Dominic Ingle and had a run-out in June, scoring a third round stoppage over Dale Arrowsmith.

Skeete said: “Obviously before I fell out of love with boxing but now I am the old me, I am buzzing. I am back where I started and it is a very good fight for me. In their eyes I have been there and done it and they will be looking to take my scalp. They obviously think I am at the back end of my career and I will be a good name for him but, and I am not just saying it, I love boxing again and I feel so good after a good long break.

“It is like a new lease of life. I go back a long way with Al (former trainer, Smith), but I just needed a break for one and a fresh start for two. I am doing what I do and enjoying it, now I am ready to go again and to come back in a good fight like this against Hamzah is perfect.

“He is a young, fresh champion with big things being said about him. But, listen, with my experience I am very, very confident. It is my biggest domestic fight since Sam Eggington and look how I performed on that night.

“I’ve sparred Hamzah before and he came down the gym around the time he turned pro, I think. In his early career he was coming up on my undercards or similar cards to me. He’s got a big following, he’s been guided right and he can fight.

“He is nice and tall, which is something I am not used to saying about my opponents, he can fight and he is a good kid. I’ve got no bad words to say about him and he is at the stage of his career where he needs a step-up because he hasn’t really been put in with a test yet.

“I am sure Frank and the people around him want to see if he is the real deal. He is fighting me and, after some time off, I am fresh and this is my night.”

The show will be live on BT Sport.