IPSWICH boxer Steve Spartacus is just weeks away from re-entering the ring in pursuit of the English light heavyweight title.His task at the ExCeL Centre in London's Docklands on May 18 will be to prise the crown away from current champ and old foe Peter Haymer.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH boxer Steve Spartacus is just weeks away from re-entering the ring in pursuit of the English light heavyweight title.

His task at the ExCeL Centre in London's Docklands on May 18 will be to prise the crown away from

current champ and old foe Peter Haymer.

The fight will be screened live on Sky Sports' Friday Fight Night and 30-year-old Spartacus can't wait to lock horns again with Haymer in what he accepts is a make-or-break contest.

The Ipswich boxer, who is

sponsored by local firm Flare Recruitment, admitted: “If I lose I could be signing on as a client at Flare.

“This is a crossroads fight for both of us. The winner will immediately be installed as the number one

contender for the British and Commonwealth titles.

“The loser? He could be headed for skid row. Or at least back to the real world and a full-time job.

“That's the reality of boxing, I'm afraid. I would be finished at this weight if I go down to Haymer.

“The only alternative would be to see if I could boil down to super middleweight - but it's more likely that I would be looking for a full-time job.

“If it comes to that I suppose I'm in the right place. Flare would

hopefully look out for me and find me something suitable.

“I doubt if they've got a file marked former boxers, though. What would I do? I don't know - let's not go there just yet!”

If the thought of possibly having to quit the sport he loves isn't sufficient to drive him on, Spartacus is also deriving inspiration from the fact that victory would represent sweet revenge over Haymer.

He explained: “I owe Haymer one big-time! I like him as a person but the first time he beat me was when we were amateurs, which is a good few years ago now.

“To be fair to him, he told me he thought he had lost, but he went on to win the ABA title, which was my goal back then.

“Last time out, in November 2004, people were calling it the fight of the year. I'll always maintain that the worst I should have got was a draw, but he shaded it.

“I soaked up way too much

punishment and ended up in a

hospital bed for my trouble. A great fight for the fans but not for me.

“I know talk is cheap but I

promise this time it will be a very different story.”