STANLEE Wilson is predicting fireworks when he returns to bare knuckle boxing at the O2 arena in London on Saturday, July 1.

Wilson, 31, suffered defeat in his first and most recent bare knuckle bout, losing to Christian Evans in a world title fight back in December 2016.

The Slough-based warrior has since switched codes to boxing and then mixed martial arts, but he is now gunning for another world title shot.

He takes on debutant Stu Dalloway in a non-title cruiserweight bout in the capital, but does not expect it to last long.

Wilson told the Observer: “I am coming back off an injury and had to give myself a good bit of rest for that, but I’m back in the gym now and getting ready to go to war.

“I’ve been going well, just ticking over basically, and this is in me. I just like having a punch up. It’s what I do.

"I do not know loads about Stu but I’ve seen a couple of videos. He’s game and does like to come out swinging, which will favour me because of the way I’m going now.

“I will come through the middle and hurt him quick. I’m planning on finishing it early, but it is what it is.

“I fought for the world title in December and came up short there, but I learn from every fight whether I win it or lose. It’s just a learning curve and no fighter is not going to learn.

VIDEO: Stanlee Wilson (left) and his coach Gary Banks (right) discuss his return to the sport on July 1.

“This is a non-title fight and just to get me back on the winning track.

“After this one, I imagine I will have two or three more and then I will be looking to fight for world titles again.”

On starring at the O2 arena, Wilson said: “I fought there last year in a K1 (mixed martial arts) bout so I know what to expect, and I like to think I can raise to the big occasions when I need to. I’m really confident about it.”

His trainer, Gary Banks, believes Wilson will use this bout as a stepping stone to another world title shot.

For that reason he aims to get his man fitter for his London appearance.

He said: “We’ve been training hard now and Stanlee has been doing circuits, pad work and lots of sparring again.

“The only thing I would change with Stanlee is a little bit more running.

“Other than that everything is going to be basically the same – just more intense work for the fitness, more sprints rather than long distance.”

Check out our new Observer sports Facebook page. Search: Robert Observer Sport and like, follow and share today.