WHITEFIELD boxer Rhys Roberts is ready for his next fight a week tomorrow after rediscovering his love for the sport.

The 23-year-old super bantamweight admits he was disheartened after losing in Sky TV’s Prizefighter final last year and then drawing with Dai Davies in his last fight in July when he felt he did enough to win.

But a switch to a new trainer in the shape of Oliver Harrison – who has previously worked with Bolton’s Amir Khan – has revitalised him and he is ready to push on at Bowlers in Trafford Park.

Roberts, who has 15 wins from 18 fights, faces a four-round bout on the undercard of the bill topped by Matthew Hatton.

Roberts said: “I am back up and running and have got my love back for boxing.

“This is my first fight under new trainer Oliver Harrison who has worked with Amir Khan and Martin Murray before and he has brought me on tons.

“Along with my strength and nutrition coach, Brain Goddard, they have helped get me in great shape and, just as importantly, in a great frame of mind.

“I’ve had great support fromm the family – my dad and my girlfriend.

“I fell out of love a bit after the Prizefighter last year.

“I had two-week’s notice and if I am honest, I was only half-fit but I got to the final only to lose to Choi Tseveenpurev on points.That was my first proper loss and that disheartened me and then, in my last fight, I felt I had beaten Dai Davies but it was given as a draw.

“I changed from Pat Barrett’s gym at Moston and Collyhurst and now feel good again.”

Roberts won his first 12 fights before being forced to retire hurt in an unlucky 13th with a hand injury.

Since then, it has been a mixed bag for the young Mancunian but he has belief in his ability and hopes to reignite his form next week. Roberts added: “Things have been going great in the gym and hopefully this show is the start of something big for me.

“I want to go out and prove myself – it is my time to go and shine and I have 100 per cent belief I can do that.”