Singleton determined to end the year with a bang!

The 26-year-old welterweight suffered his first professional setback in March when the crippling power of Sam Eggington proved too much at the Ice Arena in Hull.

Singleton, who had a perfect record from 20 outings prior to that defeat, was then scheduled to take on one-time British and WBA Continental title challenger Stevie Williams at Preston Guild Hall last month but was forced to pull the plug on his comeback fight after sustaining a fractured eye socket in sparring.

However, the previous owner of the WBC International Silver strap is back in intense training with coach Karl Ince in readiness for his hugely-anticipated return at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on December 12th with an opponent yet to be confirmed.

“I’m grafting and it hasn’t felt too tough getting back in to it,” he said. “I still feel sharp and fit after being out through injury, nothing like how I felt when getting back in to it after the Eggington fight. I’m well happy.

“My manager Steve Wood and coach Karl Ince asked me if I wanted to see the year out and start afresh next year.

“I thought about it but there’s Christmas, then another 12 weeks after that to get fighting fit. I’d be well in to the year then.

“It’s been a bad year with injuries and getting beat and not being able to fight. I want to get a fight in and this is perfect. I haven’t boxed there before and it’s a great venue. I’ve always wanted to get on a card there.

“The gym and the ring are the best places for me. It’ll be better for me to end the year on a high after everything that’s happened.

“I don’t want to just see it out, I want to put things right. I want to remember 2015 with a good win.

“It’ll make everything more enjoyable if I can win on December 12th.”

Singleton is hoping that a British or International Challenge belt - a revised title for the Masters straps - will be put on the line for the bout next month.

Either way, the Pendle pugilist is excited by the test of character that his forthcoming fight poses.

“If I finish on a high then I can build towards a big fight early next year,” said Singleton.

“It’s about building momentum from the back end of this year in to 2016. I want to go in to the New Year with a bang.

“I just want to get that winning feeling back. My next fight will be a completely new experience for me after losing to Eggington.

“It’ll be a different build up in the dressing room, my ring entrance will feel different and it’ll be the first time that my record will be read out with a loss on it.

“I’ll just try to be my normal self. I’ll stay calm and take it as it comes. I’m confident and I’ve learned a lot both physically and mentally.

“This is a great test of character for me. It’s the biggest test an athlete faces. Let’s see how I handle the situation.

“This is how fighters are made and I’m going to come back stronger.”

Shayne would like to thank Wellocks for their ongoing support and sponsorship as well as new sponsors Bounce Back Safety Surfaces.

Anybody wishing to purchase tickets for the show on December 12th can contact Shayne on 07857 476485.