WITHAM professional boxer Kaan Hawes is excited to have the opportunity of showing what he is capable of on the big stage on Friday night while fighting in his optimum weight category.

Having had one taste of fighting on an Ultimate Boxxer show in May, the 33-year-old former Witham Cricket Club captain and Witham Town footballer is returning to the popular format at the Indigo at the O2 in London this weekend.

But this time, rather than stepping up a weight division and battling in the middleweight category, Hawes will be fighting at super welterweight, which he feels is his natural level and he is looking forward to showcasing his skills.

The Ultimate Boxxer shows bring together eight up-and-coming UK boxers and gives them a platform to fight for honours in a knockout format, with the four winners of first-round fights heading into a semi-final and then a final.

Like Hawes' previous appearance, Ultimate Boxxer V will be screened live on the BT Sport television channel and the Witham professional is looking forward to being on the big stage again.

He said: "I was fortunate enough to have been involved in one of the earlier tournaments, when I fought at Ultimate Boxxer III in the middleweights.

"Now I’ve got the opportunity to compete at my natural weight (super welterweight) in what will be a great show and for small hall fighters, I don’t think you can do much better than show your skills on a platform like this."

Having won five and drawn one of his opening six bouts as a professional, Hawes' previous Ultimate Boxxer outing in the middleweight division saw him record his first defeat as he was beaten on points by Kieron Conway.

Hawes is the first fighter to appear on two Ultimate Boxxer shows and his prior experience has only fired him up to go again.

He is relishing a battle against Joshua Ejakpovi in the opening stage on Friday and in fact, Hawes believes that his previous experience at the Indigo at the O2 can help him claim the Golden Robe at Ultimate Boxxer V.

He added: "I’ve had the experience of an Ultimate Boxxer fight night all before and I think that will pay off.

"The format does suit me, but the thing that attracted me was the talent that you’re in the ring with.

"I don’t want to pad my record with journeyman who have had lots of fights.

"I want to test myself - when this opportunity came up it was either go back to small halls, or step up and take the chance.

"It’s a no brainer."

Alongside Hawes and Ejakpovi on the Ultimate Boxxer V card are Steven Donnelly, who represented Ireland at the Rio Olympics three years ago, Kingsley Egbunike, Lenny Fuller, Lewis Syrett, Ish O'Connor and Sean Robinson.