COLIN Kenna has a new heavyweight sparring partner in the shape of former British ABA champion Billy Bessey, who is planning an unlikely comeback to the ring.

The Portsmouth-born fighter, who lives in Leigh Park, won the British Heavyweight ABA Championship in 1999 under the guidance of Dave Garside, but became disenchanted with the sport and hung up his gloves in 2001.

At that time he was living in Hartlepool but the 29-year-old is now back home and has joined Jack Bishop in training at his gym.

Bishop said: "Billy gave up the sport some time ago but now he wants to get back into it and he does have a good pedigree.

"He rang me up and said he'd seen what me and Colin had been doing and had been inspired because he's often wondered where he might have got to if he hadn't given up - he said to me, 'I haven't fulfilled my dream.'

"I wanted to have a look at him first to see if he really wanted this or not so I put him through the mill because you'd find out pretty quickly if he wanted more or if he'd walk away.

"But he gritted his teeth and got through it and wants more and more.

"There's a lot of work to do because he's not fit but he has really quick hands - as good as Colin.

"Colin is also delighted because one of the main things holding him back has been the lack of other heavyweights to work with in the gym."

Bishop's new man comes from a fine background with his brother, Chris Bessey, having been awarded the MBE for services to boxing after winning six ABA titles and a Commonwealth gold medal.

Both brothers have served in the Army, where Chris remains but Billy has left.

The latest news on Kenna's arm, which requires surgery before he can fight again, is that he's had X-rays and is waiting to see a specialist.

His doctor has already identified a foreign body in the arm that needs to be sorted out.

Meanwhile, Dimitry Donetskiy has returned to his native Russia for an operation on his gall bladder, but will return when he has completed his recovery.