One Bomb is back and the fuse is primed.
Nineteen months since he last threw a punch in anger, and took one, Tom Hill is looking forward to taping up his gloves again.
It comes just a few miles up the A66 for the Redcar star who boxes a six-rounder at Eston Leisure Centre.
Hill’s comeback, though it has to be said he never officially retired, is one of the headline stories at this 10-fight promotion in Middlesbrough.
The former Northern Area title challenger meets journeyman Serge Ambomo which he hopes might be a prelude to something more meaningful.
But, until then, it is simply great to see him boxing again.
And Tom will be boxing for the first time as a professional out of his beloved Redcar ABC camp, having been trained by the legendary Dave Binns for his 13 pro bouts to date.
He’ll have Niki Wiley guiding him after Hill rediscovered his zest for boxing again at the club after a spell out following his points defeat to Paddy Donovan in August 2022.
Since that appearance at the Odyssey Arena, he has been concentrating on his day job, until now.
“I’m back where I started in Redcar with my old amateur coach,” Tom told punch-lines.
“I didn’t plan on boxing again when I left Dave but I just started training back in Redcar and found the love for it again.”
While the 28-year-old is going over old ground on Saturday night against the Sheffield-based former Olympian, understandably so too after a long lay-off, you have to admire the Hill approach.
His last three contests have all been against live and undefeated opponents.
He was outpointed in an eight-round cracker with Jack Rafferty during Covid, before getting the decision over Ireland’s Rohan Date in Dubai two years ago, before losing to Donovan in Belfast last time out.
There has been talk of a Northern Area title clash with Ewan Mackenzie though the British Boxing Board of Control, apparently, were not so keen.
Hill, whose record is an excellent 10-3, does have his eyes on the prizes.
“I think I’ll avoid the Northern Area,” smiled Hill (pictured above in his previous meeting with Ambomo in Newcastle). “Too many times it’s fallen through and I’ve decided I’m just not meant to have it.
“I’d like an English title eliminator next then we’ll go from there.”
Hill v Ambomo is part of a full night of action at the Eston Leisure Centre, which is staging its third event inside six months.
South Bank’s Michael Webster returns after an unlucky English heavyweight title defeat to Solomon Dacres last November.
Billingham Boxing Academy trio Tom Summerbell, Jim Tyers and Will Howe, whose combined record is 12-0, are in action, while Sunniside’s Josh Blenkiron is chasing his third straight wins.
After winning on debut at Eston in February, Darlington duo Josh Babb and Liam Copping, plus Ryton’s Sophie Rodgers look to double their victory tallies.
Elsewhere, there is a pro debut for Irishman, Myles Casey, who had 60-odd amateur bouts.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture by Tom Collins
