Scotland boxer Luke Bibby has the thumbs-up to get back in the ring and is determined to finish 2022 in style.
The Perth Railway Boxing Club member has been out of competitive action for a number of months after picking up an injury.
He fractured his thumb earlier in the year but is now back in top shape and is set to jet out to Macedonia with the Scottish squad for a tournament later this month.
Bibby (22) has ensured that his fitness has not dropped ahead of flying out to the event in a couple of weeks’ time.
“After the British, I needed to give my hand time to heal after fracturing my thumb,” Bibby revealed.
“I’ve not fought since that British final. That was the end of May.
“It took quite a long time for it to get back to where it needed to be.
“I was managing to train the whole time, but only able to use the one hand until around August.
“Not having any bouts has been a blessing in disguise as I’ve been able to let the hand heal properly.
“And I’ve had a lot of time to work on stuff. I even feel I have improved since my last fight and I’m ready to show it.
“I’m now back with both hands and feeling no pain. I’m ready to get going and finish the year strong.”
Bibby was last night down at Catterick in England for an army dual match before sparring today.
It all adds to the preparation ahead of heading for the elite tournament in Macedonia.
“I’m buzzing to get back in the ring and it is good preparation for the tournament in Macedonia,” Bibby told the PA.
“It should be a three-day tournament and we’ll be away for five days.
“There will be a number of different European countries entered and it will definitely be high level.
“I want to finish the year with another gold. I’m looking forward to showing improvements I’ve made over the summer.
“There will be a week of hard training and then I’ll be tapering again for going away.
“Most of the hard work has been done already.”
Bibby has jetted out to a number of countries across Europe in recent years with the Scotland squad and, after each one, he picks up valuable learning experiences.
He explained: “Going away is a totally different experience. There is the atmosphere, different styles to deal with and the travelling. You gain plenty of experience for future competitions too.
“You are not in your comfort zone. You are in their land and you don’t actually know who you are going to fight. Usually it is the day of the fight you find out.
“You could be up against any style on any day so you need to prepare all round the board. That is what I’ve done.
“I’ve been training really hard for this and hopefully it gives me a platform to build on. Christmas will come early if I can get gold out in Macedonia.”
