ROSS Chittock will fight at the O2 Indigo Arena in London next month after recovering from an ankle injury which has kept him out of the ring for a year.

The 31-year-old, from Abingdon, has won six of his ten bouts since taking up bare-knuckle boxing.

It is an area which some see as controversial, where fighters use hand wraps to protect their knuckles, rather than gloves, but Chittock is quick to defend the fast-growing sport.

He said: “People think it’s underground, but it’s not.

“The promoters and fighters are always very respectful and whenever I’ve taken a friend with me to a show, they’ve wanted to go to the next one as well.”

Chittock has broken his nose and several ribs broken during bouts, but taking up the sport has helped turn his life around.

“Bare-knuckle boxing has definitely made me a better person,” he said.

“The sport has taught me self discipline and respect for others.

“Before I found bareknuckle boxing, I was always fighting and getting into trouble.

“I didn’t have any respect for myself or anyone around me.

“The turning point was the birth of my son, Jayden, seven years ago.

“That’s when I realised I had to stop getting into trouble and I thought to myself: ‘I like fighting and maybe I should try to do something with that’.”

He added: “I really want to push myself on this year to see how far I can go. I’m excited to find out where this journey is going to take me.”

The event at the O2 is on Saturday, July 1.