​KEVIN Hooper is aiming to put on a knockout show when he spearheads the return of professional boxing to Cleethorpes.

The 26-year-old light welterweight is headlining a homecoming fight card at the Beachcomber on Sunday, July 4.

Organised by Hooper’s manager and promoter David Coldwell, the show will be the first pro boxing event the resort has seen since Joe Frater’s Christmas show at the same venue in 2008.

But this time a Grimsby-born pro will be the star act.

And ‘Super Hooper’, who has four wins from four fights since joining the pro ranks, can’t wait to add to his tally in front of a home crowd.

He said: “It’s great to be involved in a homecoming and I’m hoping the place will be packed out.

“I think it’s great for the sport in this region – boxing fans and people new to the sport should both come along to see the show.

“It’s great to be bringing professional boxing back to the area

“I’ve been training hard and really want to put on a good show.”

Grimsby Town fans who attend the show might spot a familiar face in the crowd as former Mariner-turned pro boxer and International Masters light-welterweight title holder Curtis Woodhouse is hoping to attend.

Woodhouse, a friend and regular sparring partner of Hooper’s, fights Rick Godding at the Doncaster Dome two days earlier, targeting for his fourteenth victory from 15 bouts.

The show’s undercard will include Scunthorpe light-middleweight Steve Spence, 23, as well as Barnsley’s Neil Beevers and unbeaten up-and-coming stars Ali Shah and Nath Al Harbi.

Hooper’s trainer Sean Wood is delighted a local boxer is headlining a pro card in his hometown.

“The pro game has been a bit quiet in Grimsby,” said Wood.

“I’ve been working to try to make it busy.

“Kev turning pro has broken down walls for other local boxers and I’m hoping to turn out at least two more pro fighters in the next few years.

“By seeing him fight, it will show to more of the younger lads that the pro game is attainable.

“Plenty of people will know about his Kev’s four fights to date but won’t have seen him fight, so we’re hoping for a sell-out crowd.

“There’s plenty of entertainment on the undercard too. Neil Beevers, in particular, is a real crowd pleaser because he’s a right brawler.”

Tickets are available, priced £25 or £45 ringside. Contact the venue or Hooper directly on 07532380456.