SOUTHAMPTON fight fans can look forward to a New Year treat, writes JEREMY WILSON.

Trainer and promoter Jack Bishop is planning a Sunday-afternoon special on February 6 when he hopes to stage a bill involving six of the area's leading professionals at Southampton Guildhall.

Topping the bill will be Lordshill heavyweight Colin Kenna, who is expected to make his long-awaited return following the completion of elbow surgery next week.

The brother of former Saints fullback Jeff has been out of the ring since last May, when his elbow problem forced him out of a fight with top-ten British rated heavyweight Mark Krence.

Kenna was holding his own against the Chesterfield boxer until he was pulled out of the fight at the end of the third round.

Assuming he comes through the February 6 show unscathed, plans are already afoot for Kenna to box in his home city of Dublin on February 19 with a view to eventually getting a shot at the All-Ireland heavyweight crown.

The hugely popular Danny Cooper is also scheduled to fight on the February 6 Guildhall show.

The Totton light-middleweight has been out of competitive action for the past year, but at 37, remains fitter than most 20-year-olds.

Bishop is also hoping to put on heavyweight Billy Bessey on the show following his successful return after a three-year break last month.

Langley's Mervyn Langdale and Gosport's Steve Ede are also scheduled to make their professional debuts, and New Milton's Danny Goode should continue his promising career on the show.