IAIN Weaver is certain his "world-class" sparring will help him blow away the challenge of Irishman Michael Kelly on Saturday night.

Bournemouth's Weaver made light of a 20-month layoff when he disposed of Northern Ireland puncher Marty Kayes inside two rounds on his ring return in May.

The 27-year-old will tackle Kelly in a Queensbury Boxing League contest after spending time holed away at a training camp in Tenerife – replicating the preparation that served him so well in the Kayes fight – but is already looking beyond his next opponent and towards a challenge for global honours.

“I’m feeling great after coming off such a good performance against Kayes and I’m eager now to get regular fights and start looking at challenging for titles," said Weaver.

"Even though I’ve been inactive, competitively, I’ve been training hard, sparring all over the world and learning all the time.

"I genuinely believe I can mix it with the very best and, ultimately, capture a world title."

Weaver's training partners have included formidable twins Liam and Ryan Walsh. Liam lost a super featherweight world title contest against Floyd Mayweather protege Gervonta Davis last month.

And on the same Copper Box Arena bill, Ryan successfully defended his British featherweight crown.

Weaver is desperate to make up for lost time after his professional career was placed in abeyance following the discovery of an arachnoid cyst on his brain.

He was successful in 95 of 115 amateur bouts, and won the featherweight strap at the Commonwealth Boxing Championships in 2010.

In Kelly, he will encounter an opponent who has won nine and drawn one of his 19 fights – and been in with former British and Commonwealth welterweight champion Frankie Gavin.

“It’s fair to say, since turning professional, things haven’t really got going for me," said lightweight Weaver. "But I’m in a good place now and ready to make my mark.

“It’s been hard to stay motivated during the tough times and if it wasn’t for the support from my girlfriend and family I might have turned my back on the sport.

“I know Kelly has a 50-50 record and will be coming over to try to cause the upset. But I’ve had world-class sparring in preparation for this and I’m going to be more than ready come fight night.”

Tickets for Weaver's fight, which features on the Queensbury Boxing League's All Fired Up promotion at Epsom Downs Racecourse, are available on 0203 751 8599.