COLNE fight star Shayne Singleton makes a rare appearance in his home town ring tonight – and intends to put on a show for his screaming and cheering hordes of fans as he heads into new territory.

The 24-year-old class act goes through the ropes at The Muni for the first time as a welterweight – but he is on a mission as he plans to go all the way to the British title.

Singleton became the first man from Colne to win a professional title when he was crowned as English light-welterweight champion earlier this year after he beat big hitting former footballer Curtis Woodhouse.

But problems getting down to the 10-stone weight limit led to the Karl Ince schooled stylist making the tough decision to relinquish his belt and step up to the 10-and-a-half stone division.

And he intends to shine when he fights tough 29-year-old South Wales slugger Leon Findley in front of a packed and passionate Colne crowd.

Singleton has sold 300 tickets for his return ‘home’ and could easily have doubled that number – and he intends to reward his fans.

“It’s special fighting in your home town,” said Singleton. “My fans are something else, they are really special and it’s good for them that they get the chance to come and see me at home rather than having to travel.

“It’s rare for me to fight in Colne and I can’t wait for the fight, it will be a special night for everyone.”

Singleton admits it was heartbreaking to relinquish his belt but is determined to take the next step and says moving up a weight was the only thing to do.

“It was difficult but there was no other option,” he added. “And I feel like a totally different fighter now with the extra half stone. I feel stronger and even fitter than I did before.

“I am looking forward now and I am focused on the future and having won one belt, I really want another one.

“The British belt is on my radar but that comes later. I want to put on a show tonight and then build towards my next fight.

“I will be fighting again in February so after this fight I can enjoy my Christmas and then get straight back into the gym.

“It is what I want to do, I want to be a champion again after the last taste of it and I am determined to succeed.”

Singleton’s fight with Findley, who has won five of his nine contests but has only fought outside of Wales once, is the main attraction tonight but there is plenty of other local interest on the sold out bill.

Nelson’s light-welterweight Atif Mushtaq, Great Harwood welterweight Haidher Riaz, Blackburn’s Qasim Niaz and deadly Darwen cruiserweight Stevie Taylor are all in action.