Portsmouth boy ready to do city proud with 'homecoming' live on Sky Sports to set up huge 2023

The Pompey Problem returns to the ring live on Sky Sports tonight against Nicaraguan danger man Roberto Arriaza in Bournemouth.

McKinson makes his comeback after enhancing his reputation in a maiden professional defeat to pound-for-pound prospect Vergil Ortiz Jr in Texas four months ago.

The 28-year-old took Ortiz into deeper waters than he’d previously experienced before succumbing in the ninth round.

Now the 22-1 welterweight is looking to show his world class attributes against an opponent nicknamed ‘Dinimita’, who has stopped 14 opponents from his 19 wins.

McKinson is fighting in on the south coast for the first time since defeating Colin Lynes in Portsmouth back in 2017 - and looking to make the most of that opportunity.

He said: ‘This is my comeback fight and this is a homecoming of sorts.

‘They wanted to give me an easy opponents on my first fight back, but I wasn’t interested.

‘My last fight was against Vergil Ortiz Jr in America. It wouldn’t have been fair on me, my supporters or my ranking really.

‘So it was a guy with 30 losses or a dangerous hard-hitting guy from Central America.

‘Most people would take the easy fight for a comeback fight, but I’m not most people.

‘I can’t wait. This is the closest I’ve fought to home in five years.

‘It’s the first time in front of my support really in three years.

‘So I’m looking forward to it.

‘It may be down the road in Bournemouth, but this is my homecoming.

‘I’ve had to go on my travels and I’ve had to try to conquer the world: now I’m back.

‘I want to get back into the picture against a dangerous opponent.

‘It’s on Sky Sports and I’ve proved I’m a world-class fighter. It’s a tough task, but I’m looking forward to getting the job done - and looking good doing it.’

The new year could bring plenty of potential openings for McKinson, with a return to America a possibility.

The former Moneyfields amateur has a strong standing with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, who have the likes of Alexis Rocha and Blair Cobbs in the top 10 world rankings at 147lb.

There’s also ambitions of a Portsmouth mega show with the city’s pro fight scene thriving, but McKinson knows he must first look at what’s in front of him.

He added: ‘I’m only 28, so I feel I’ve achieved a lot already in my career.

‘I feel I’m coming into my prime now, though.

‘I want to get back to America and there’s lots of goals to achieve.

‘The last I can remember Blair Cobbs saying was get a win and come fight me.

‘There’s lots of names out there, but I’ve got to do my job first.

‘There are opportunities and I’m respected in America, but there’s nothing like fighting at home.

‘South coast boxing is doing well and I’d love to bring it back to Portsmouth in 2023.

‘I’ve prepared well, I’m in good shape and now I’m excited to fight close to home and end the year on a high.’