Blair ‘The Flair’ Cobbs is back where he belongs—in the ring, in front of his adoring public.

The charismatic and unbeaten welterweight prospect returns for the first time since the pandemic, serving as part of Golden Boy Promotions’ DAZN show this Saturday from Don Haskins Center on the campus of The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Cobbs (14-0-1, 9KOs) will take on his most experienced foe to date in veteran fringe contender Brad Solomon (29-3, 9KOs).

“I’ve been preparing for a long time,” Cobbs told BoxingScene.com. “I’ve been training in Wild Card Gym with Freddie Roach all year round in order to put on the biggest show of my career.”

Las Vegas’ Cobbs generally remains supremely conditioned, though hasn’t logged an official fight since a split decision win over Samuel Kotey last Valentine’s Day at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The bout took place in front of 10,000 fans as part of a show topped by lightweight contender Ryan Garcia, while marking his fifth fight in just 11 months. Cobbs was fiercely active since returning to the sport in 2017 following a 2 ½ year gap, though entering Saturday afternoon’s bout on the heels of a 16-month inactive stretch.

Much of it was caused by the coronavirus pandemic, with Golden Boy returning to the sport last July though with three of its first four shows coming without fans in attendance due to social distancing measures. Saturday’s event will feature what figures to be a rabid crowd, even with a 40% venue capacity maximum in place.  

“It. Was. Worth. It,” Cobbs explained of the extended ring absence. “Blair The Flair don’t have no business being in a fight with no fans. Not at all. In fact, I don’t understand why I’m not the main event. But it’s OK. Golden Boy and DAZN know that I’m here to put on a show. I’m gonna show up and show out for all my fans.”

The bout serves as the opener of a four-fight DAZN telecast beginning 3:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m local time. The show is  topped by former WBO junior middleweight titlist Jaime Munguia (36-0, 27KOs) versus former title challenger Kamil Szeremeta (21-1, 5KOs).

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox