Rare chance for Liam Griffiths to perform in front of Portsmouth following as well-travelled fighter 'known for losing' is back having feared career was over

The exuberant 35-year-old feared his pro career had come to an end having struggled to find the motivation to continue training with no small hall show fights available during the coronavirus outbreak.

But after getting himself back on track and in the gym again, the Bognor-based middleweight accepted Portsmouth trainer and manager Michael Ballingall's invitation for him to feature on the Bendall's Boxing card staged on South Parade Pier on Friday evening.

In somewhat of a career rarity for Griffiths – who has spent the vast majority of his time on the road travelling to venues to face home fighters – this time around he'll be fighting in front of his friends in Portsmouth.

And despite a pro record which stands with 86 defeats from 92 pro contests, he is planning on keeping a proud city streak continuing when he comes up against Stockport-born Dale Arrowsmith in a four-round contest.

Griffiths revealed: ‘I can't wait to have all my friends, I haven't really got a big family - it's just my dad - but all my friends are going to be there and I'm so excited. I love boxing in front of my friends and the home supporters, I always have.

‘I've never lost - (as an) amateur, unlicenced or professional - as the home fighter. I've lost countless fights, too many to mention, and that's what I'm known for, losing. But never once in front of my home supporters (been beaten) - hopefully I never will.’

Like many during an incredibly tough period, Griffiths told of some ‘personal problems’ he went through as the coronavirus pandemic worsened.

But ahead of what will be his first pro bout since December 2019 on Friday, he says the chance to fight in the city again was too good to turn down.

Griffiths continued: ‘The coronavirus jumped off, everyone got locked down - I never had one fight - I thought that would be it for my career.

‘I wasn't training during the lockdown, we had some personal problems - like a lot of people did during that time.

‘Since everything has opened up - I always thought I'd love to box again - Mikey (Michael Ballingall; trainer and manager) phoned me up with the opportunity to box on this upcoming home show and I said absolutely, yes. I thought it would be a case of doing it or retiring, so I chose to do it, there's nothing to it but to do it!’