The stakes will be high when city bareknuckle boxer returns to action at the O2 Arena

The Peterborough fighter faces Scott McHugh when bareknuckle boxing returns to London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, February 21. Reffell took a fight with McHugh at only three days’ notice in September, 2022 and was beaten on points.

And the stakes are high for the re-match as the fight is an eliminator for the world super-welterweight championship held by Rolando Dy.

Reffell has a win over the Filipino on his 10-fight record, but before that re-match can happen he has to get past McHugh.

The Leeds veteran has won and lost world honours and earned a place in the sport’s Hall of Fame since their first fight, while Reffell has become a fans’ favourite in battles with Ryan Jett and Dy.

Reffell said: “I have a point to prove against Scott. The first fight was a belter after I took it at three days’ notice. Let’s see what happens when I have a full camp behind me.

“Scott has improved a lot (since the first fight) and we are two different people now. It will be absolute carnage. Scott wants to get back into the world-title picture – and I want a shot.

“This is a fight I was always hoping would come around and this time he gets everything. It’s the same face – but a fresh fight.”

For Reffell, the fight will be his first since he was outpointed by pound-for-pound fighter James Connelly in Bristol in September.

Two of the three judges had Connelly winning the five-round battle by a single point with Reffell remembering an ear wound he suffered as the turning point.

Reffell added: “I was giving as good as I got until I got the ear damage.”

Reffell has added fellow fighter Aaron McCallum to his team since then. McCallum has taken on the role of nutritionist in the build up to the McHugh rematch.