The World Kickboxing Network will decide, following Hamilton’s showdown with Alias, if he is ready to challenge for its light-welterweight title with a possible festive cracker at the Ulster Hall in December, with world champion, Daniel Zahra from Malta as the expected opponent.

Hamilton, 33, who feels in the best shape of his career, said: “I have put so much into the sport and I owe it to myself to become a world champion again.

“It was great being the featherweight chsamp several years ago but for one reason or another my focus was deflected and I have been on an uncertain path for far too long.

“This time I am ready. I have put in the hours at the gym and my coach, Billy Murray, would not have created this opportunity for me if he didn't think I was ready. I have a monster of a fight ahead of me in Italy because Alessandro Alias is one of the best out there at the moment, and he has a wide range of skill.”

Hamilton ventures to Sardinia on Thursday for Saturday’s contest along with Prokick stable-mate Karl McBlain; the current WKN European Amateur champion. Gas engineer McBlain, who is aiming to explode onto the professional scene in 2014, will seek to secure a third title in three different kickboxing disciplines.

Former world champion Billy Murray, the duo’s coach at Prokick Gym, said: “I’m excited about the two lads going into these big fights at crucial stages of their careers.

“Gary Hamilton has been with me for a very long time but it has been a while since I saw the hunger in him that once made him a world champion.

“He has that look in eyes again and I am confident that he will be coming home from Italy with a vision of that Ulster Hall bouncing and chanting his name as it did in 2005 when he clashed with the great Mohammad Samir.”

More on the pair travelling to Sardinia can be found right here on prokick.com