Hamilton will be one of the main attractions on a 12-fight card on March 17 and plans to make sure he doesn’t need the luck of the Irish on his latest career mission.

Chef Hamilton, who packed out the Ulster Hall on numerous occasions during a world title reign that started in 2002, will turn 31 in May – and accepts this may be his last chance to make a second impression on the title scene.
He said: I lost that fight with Kinigamazi and although I was fighting the weight and had trouble with it beforehand, I believe I won it. The decision didn’t go my way but the outcome did give me an almighty kick up the backside.

“I have had enough time to think about it and to consider what I want from the sport before my body tells me it has had enough.

“I am going to go out as a world champion – that’s the aim and I am confident I can return to the top.”

Hamilton will now compete as a lightweight and light-welterweight – glad to see his featherweight days behind him.
He added: “I was killing myself making the weight and probably should not have taken the fight against Kinigamazi - but you live and learn.

“I’ve had my wake-up call and now I am focussed on bringing home another title. I would love to challenge Kinigamazi again. He knows deep down I beat him and I know that was a bad night at the office for me. I had no energy and my focus was on other things going on in my life.

“My fitness is back and I am feeling close to fight sharpness. I used to struggle to get out of bed for a 6am run and now I am bouncing out of bed at 5am. I am constantly thinking of that defeat and putting things right again. I would fight Kinigamazi tomorrow, I am that determined.”

Hamilton is thankful his career-long coach Billy Murray, the former four-time world champion, is hoping to secure him a bout next month against a yet to be named opponent.

He said: “This is my opportunity to show people – most of all my coach – the old Gary Hamilton is back. I will go out to make an impression and by the end of the year I intend to have made a big impression with a title shot.”

Also on the St Patrick’s Day Bash show is young contender Mark Bird, one of the toughest and most stylish kickboxers to emerge from Murray’s Prokick Gym.

Bird will compete in an K1-style International Team event, against Diego Diserens of Switzerland.

For ticket information contact http://www.prokick.com or call 028 9065 1074. Tickets cost £20 while children wearing official Prokick uniform will enjoy free admission.