COLIN KENNA is promising Southampton fight fans something special when he returns to the ring after a nine-month lay-off.

The Lordshill heavyweight is in the shape of his life after putting himself through a gruelling fitness schedule following surgery to cure an elbow injury.

Kenna has been under the knife twice in recent months, but has declared himself fit and ready for his comeback at Southampton Guildhall on February 6. His opponent will be Brixton's O'Neil Murray.

Nicknamed 'Big Red', Jamaican-born Murray had a win over Southampton's Joe Brame on his only other professional visit to the city.

But 31-year-old Murray has not been particularly active in recent years, fighting just once since April 2003.

Kenna's trainer and manager Jack Bishop is still predicting a difficult test.

"He's a toughie," he said. "But Colin really is desperate to get back in the ring and is looking very good in the gym. He has been working the pads and bag and should begin sparring next week.

"He is looking fit and has really got the benefit from all the running he has done while he has been unable to fight with his injury."

Kenna's elbow problem forced him out of a fight with top-ten British rated heavyweight Mark Krence last May after he had been holding his own against the Chesterfield boxer.

Bishop's Southampton Guildhall Sunday-afternoon show will feature five of the area's leading professionals.

Topping the action will be Kenna, but there is also a top-class undercard with two Southampton boxers making their debuts.

Langley's Mervyn Langdale will have his first professional fight against Gary Thompson while Gosport's Steve Ede will take-on Jed Tytler.

Heavyweight Billy Bessey is scheduled to fight on the show following his recent successful return after a three-year break and he will take on the giant Mal Rice.

New Milton's Danny Goode will also continue his promising career against Neil Jamolinski.

The boxing begins at 3pm on February 6 and tickets are now available from the Southampton Guildhall, telephone: 023 8063 2601.