After a year out of action Liverpool’s Mike Robinson will return to the ring on February 28 before targeting a showdown with highly-rated prospect Kal Yafai.

Set to appear on VIP Promotions’ upcoming show at Southport’s Floral Hall, the likeable Liverpudlian nearly quit the sport in 2013 but is now back chasing titles.

“I had a Central Area title fight lined up last year with Ryan Farrag which would’ve been a great fight.  But I ended up getting a back injury and it put me out of work [as an electrician] for a few weeks.

“I virtually walked away from boxing after that but then Steve [Wood] offered me a few comeback fights, and I’m going to see where it takes me.  I’m excited for the first time in ages.  There’s no worries about making weight and I’m not fighting away from home.

“The reason I haven’t walked away is because I definitely have a title in me,” explained Mike, who has twice challenged unsuccessfully for the English super-flyweight title, “and anyone close to me will tell you that.  If I was to walk away and not win one then I’d look back with regrets.  So, I’ve got to win one before I jack it in!”

In a fight streamed live and free on VIPBOXING.TV, Mike will make his Southport bow before gunning for former star amateur Yafai.  Currently undefeated in 10, with seven KOs, the Birmingham man seems destined for the top, but Robinson is convinced he can derail the Brummie’s progress.

“I was offered the Kal Yafai fight for the 15th of March but I said to Steve: ‘I’ll fight him when it’s for a British title, I’m not helping him out for an English title or whatever and no money.’  I’ve done that sort of thing before and it’s not worked out.  I’ll take the fights when it’s ready for me now.

“I think he’s good, but he’s not really been tested.  I think Paul Butler is better, and I’d be confident of fighting Paul Butler.  He [Yafai] hasn’t looked fantastic; I don’t think, yet.  He’s obviously a world class fighter because of his amateur pedigree but I wouldn’t be scared to fight him.”

“Mike has never shied away from a challenge, and has taken fights away from home and in other fighter’s back yards,” explained promoter Steve Wood.  “He’s never had too much luck.  He’s lost five of his 13 fights, but I don’t think his record truly reflects his talent.  We’re looking to match him with Yafai in the future, as soon as he’s shaken off the rust, and it should be for a British title.”

VIP Promotions present a top-class evening of boxing at the Floral Hall in Southport on February 28. Fighters from across the North West will be in action including Merseyside’s Carl Dilks; Southport’s former British title challenger Mike Stafford, and Scott Moonan; Liverpool’s Mike Robinson; Oswaldtwistle heavyweight Adam Machaj; and St Helens’ Gary Omrod. Ryan Moorhead and Colin Farricker will both make debuts.

Tickets, priced at £30 (General) and £60 (Ringside), are available from all boxers or at vipbe.co.uk