Former English champion Nav Mansouri is still hopeful of having his showdown with highly-rated Kieron Conway – as he plans to make a big splash on his keenly-awaited return fight on UK soil.

Mansouri (20-3-2, 6 KOs) has spent the last four years in Spain, notably in Marbella, and even challenged for the WBA Continental super-welterweight title in Rotterdam, Netherlands the last time out.

The Yorkshire star was supposed to square off with Conway in April, but the bout was called off in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mansouri is hoping that he can eventually take on Conway – or any other British fighters – as he seeks to put himself back in the mix for domestic title contention.

He said: “I think it’s really a great match and I’m really up for the fight. He’s (Conway) got some good performances so he’s confident. But I have been training hard for this fight because it really means a lot to me now.

“It’s the fight that will mark my return to the UK. It’s a big opportunity for me to put my name back on the map and get into the mix and work my way back up again.

“I would love to get as many title fights as possible even in domestic fights. It makes me train a little bit harder. It gives me the excitement that I want to do a little bit more. I like to be involved in those kinds of (tough) fights rather than the one-sided matches.

“That’s a good side of boxing – it’s exciting. One fight can change a lot of things in your life. It brings the buzz back again. It gives you added motivation and pushes you a lot more.

“I moved to Marbella and spent the last four years there. So on the British perspective, I’ve been fighting abroad. But fighting in the UK is still the best.”