By Ryan Songalia

Four-time heavyweight title challenger Jameel "Big Time" McCline is currently preparing for his fight since April of 2009, the 41-year-old West Palm Beach, Fla. resident tells BoxingScene.com.

The 6-foot-6 McCline, who holds a record of 39-10-3 (23 KO), says the comeback fight will take place in February 2012 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Fla. on a card promoted by upstart company Panther Promotions. An email to Panther Promotions seeking comment was not returned by Friday evening.

McCline insists that his motivations for returning were not financial.

"I'm doing very well for myself," said McCline, who rented a warehouse in Boca Raton, Fla. for his own personal training camp.

"I'm here to be an ambassador to the world for American heavyweight boxing. Most of the guys out there right now are bums. The greatest American heavyweight we have now is Kevin Johnson, plus Anthony Thompson, who is also an incredible fighter. But Eddie Chambers? C'mon.

"I have the five wells for leadership; I'm well-spoken, well-dressed, well-read, well-traveled and well-thought of."

McCline, who hasn't fought since a fourth-round KO loss to Cris Arreola, says he doesn't feel old as a fighter because of his late start (age 25), and that his friends and family all support his decision to return.

The Harlem, N.Y. native McCline turned professional in 1995 after only one amateur bout. After going just 2-2-1 in his five bouts, McCline won 26 in a row, including victories over fellow big men Michael Grant, Lance Whitaker and Shannon Briggs, earning him a shot at WBO titlist Wladimir Klitschko. McCline would lose that bout by a tenth round TKO, and credits Klitschko with being the only fighter he believes defeated him convincingly.

McCline's closest brush with winning a world title came in 2004, when he dropped IBF titlist Chris Byrd in the second round, but lost on a 12-round split decision. On that same card, Larry Donald, who recently stated his intentions to return from an extended layoff, defeated Evander Holyfield.

Earlier this year, McCline worked as a color commentator for several boxing telecasts, including the heavyweight bout between Tomasz Adamek and Kevin McBride.

McCline adds that his goal is to raise a world title belt above his head "just one time."

"If it becomes a joke, then yeah I'll hang them up for good," said McCline.

Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and contributes to GMA News and the Filipino Reporter newspaper in New York City. He can be reached at ryan@ryansongalia.com . An archive of his work can be found at www.ryansongalia.com . Follow him on Twitter: @RyanSongalia.