On January 28, kickboxer Best will return to the scene of that set-back, aiming to make Dutch fighter Glenn Coert feel the brunt of his frustration.
Athlone’s Okungbowa, a promising Irish amateur boxer, stopped a nervous Best in his hometown last year, but the Prokick fighters says his confidence will be back on display this month. Best added: “I was a bag of nerves for the fight against Okungbowa. I knew I could have beaten him but once I stepped into the ring I totally went blank and didn’t carry out my instructions.

“I gave Okungbowa the invitation he needed to come at me and there just wasn’t any room or time to gather my thoughts.

“It was so disappointing and was on a downer for quite a few days afterwards. But I have watched my performance over and over and have worked hard at getting my sharpness and confidence back and I am ready for this next challenge.”

His opponent Coert has a specialist background in Muay Thai but has delved into full-contact kickboxing in recent times.

Best’s coach, former world champ Billy Murray, said: “I am excited about Paul’s return to action. He was very hard on himself last time around. I think he was too keen to make a good impression on people in the crowd. It was a big night for him and maybe the occasion got to him.” He added: “This time Paul will be a different, more confident fighter. He is ready to win and determined to win.”

Best will be joined on the Hilton Hotel show by Prokick team-mates David Foster, Darren McMullan, Johnny Smith, Karl McBlain, Gary Fullerton – and former world champ Gary Hamilton, who is expected to challenge for a world crown this year.

In addition to the attractive fight card, Prokick Gym will celebrate 20 years on east Belfast’s Wilgar Street with a special presentation event, followed by entertainment.

Tickets are priced at £20 or £40, the latter including a pre-event meal and early entrance. Show starts at 7:30pm. For more information log on to http://www.prokick.com or call 028 90 451074.