‘I’ve got a goal and I’m going to get it’ – bareknuckle boxer Mickey Parker keen to ‘shine under the lights’ like McKinson and Chamberlain

Now the Leigh Park bare knuckle boxer is ready to seize the chance to get the city noticed through his sport.

The 38-year-old is finally hoping his frustrating wait to fight for the vacant British cruiserweight title ends this summer.

With Covid-19 taking a hold over the past 12 months, Parker has seen three scheduled dates to do battle with Dave Thomas for the belt postponed.

In recent weeks, the Pompey boxing scene has really come to the fore thanks to McKinson's WBO Global welterweight title win live on Sky Sports Box Office, while Waterlooville's Chamberlain has extended his perfect professional record to 8-0.

But now, after what has been an agonising wait, Parker is determined to take his opportunity on the big stage of the BKB 21 show on July 3 at the 02 Indigo.

Parker said: 'Boxing is high in the town at the moment, everyone is buzzing about it, I sold 230 tickets and not one person has asked for their money back.

‘With Mikey (McKinson) doing his bits now, Mark Chamberlain doing his bits now - the town is buzzing for it.

‘It just shows what a fanbase the whole city has got. Everyone loves it and I could not have been more happy for both of them boys getting it lately, and they both want to do big things.

‘For me personally, my time is going to come, I can’t wait to get the opportunity to shine under the lights like they have.'

Despite the numerous setbacks Parker has faced over the course of the past year, he insists his hunger has not wavered.

The enforced break from the ring because of the pandemic has only fuelled his fire to win a belt - and deliver on a promise he made himself and his family in the process.

Parker added: 'You wouldn’t believe how hungry I am. I do often think to myself why something in myself just doesn’t say, 'give up.'

‘I haven’t got that quit in my body, I’ve got a goal and I’m going to get it.

‘I’ve promised myself and I’ve promised my family and I’ll get it one way or another.

'I put everything into what I do; it took me a while to get there, now I’ve got there I want to stay there.

‘I just don’t want to be cheated out - it’s no-one’s fault whatsoever - everyone is each to their own. I just want to get there.'