BIG-TIME boxing makes its debut at the Friends Provident St Mary's stadium next month.

Season-ticket holder Colin Kenna - brother of former Saints full-back Jeff - is set to top a bill which will also include ever-popular Totton welterweight Danny Cooper on Friday, February 20.

Kenna is currently rated 17th in the British heavyweight boxing rankings and will take on big-punching Nottingham fighter Brodie Pearmaine in what is an indoor dinner-show at St Mary's.

The Lordshill 26-year-old admits it will be a dream come true to box at the home of his beloved Saints.

"I can't wait - it will be brilliant and I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

"I haven't missed a Saints game this season, so it will make a change to be going there not to watch someone else.

"I've fought before at a dinner show and the atmosphere is slightly different, but I'm sure my fans will be making plenty of noise"

Kenna had been due to fight Mark Krence in Sheffield on February 6 but will miss that date after sustaining badly bruised ribs while sparring.

Krence is rated tenth in the British ratings and would have provided an ideal opportunity for Kenna to climb the British rankings.

"I'm sick to miss that date as I'm sure I'd have beaten him and that would have given me a real chance to get among the big boys," said Kenna.

"That is the aim for 2004, so I have to make sure there are no mistakes against Brodie Pearmaine."

Kenna is on the comeback trail after bouncing back from a summer defeat against British title contender Michael Sprott with a one-round knockout of Stoke's Darren Ashton.

But he knows 36-year-old Pearmaine is dangerous after seeing him knock out Southampton's Joe Brame in one round at the Guildhall in April, 2002.

"He can obviously punch but I'm just focussing on getting myself prepared and recovering from this rib injury," he added.