COLNE fighter Shayne Singleton aims to finish the career of the Connemara Kid, Peter McDonagh, and one of Ireland’s most experienced boxers, at the Manchester Arena tomorrow.

The 39-year-old McDonagh once hired hypnotist and mind coach Uri Geller ahead of his fight for the Irish lightweight title a decade ago, but while he is in the twilight of his career now Singleton knows he remains a dangerous opponent.

But it is a big comeback night for Singleton, nicknamed The Pain, who aims to get back in the winning groove again after losing to Bradley Skeete for the British Welterweight title in June.

“That age, 39, is old to be boxing, but I think he is unbeaten in his last 10 fights, so it will be hard because McDonagh has been in with some top fighters over the years,” said Singleton.

“He is on a roll and full of confidence, but I’m in great shape and I don’t think he will be on my level.

“He is a very experienced operator, but I’m very confident that I can do the job.

“McDonagh says he will retire from the ring when he suffers his next defeat – and I need to make sure that defeat comes against me.”

The 28-year-old will be fighting on the undercard of Hughie Fury’s WBO world heavyweight title showdown with New Zealander Joseph Parker.

Singleton began his career with victory over Jason Thompson in his first professional fight at Colne’s Municipal Hall in 2009, and has only lost twice since, to Sam Eggington for the WBC International Silver Welterweight title two years ago and his loss to Skeete earlier this year.

“I’ve put the Skeete fight behind me now, and I did learn a lot from that experience,” added 28-year-old Singleton.

“I was in no bother for the first three rounds, he couldn’t get a glove on me, but then he just landed a big shot and I struggled to get going after that.

“I’ve been working on controlling it a bit more during the fight, and I’m a lot more comfortable having moved up to eleven stone now and welterweight.”

Meanwhile, Darwen’s light-heavyweight prospect Mickey Ellison has landed his dream fight at the Manchester Arena tomorrow on the undercard of Fury’s world title challenge.

The Blackburn-boxer gets to perform in front of a sell out crowd and is aiming to make a big statement in a contest bout against an opponent yet to be announced.

The card is being broadcast live on YouTube pay-per-view and Ellison insists that the bigger stage will not have any effect on his nerves or how he approaches the build-up to tonight’s clash.

“I don’t think there’s more pressure on me because it’s a bigger stage, I’m just going to embrace it and take it all in, and put all that energy into the performance because this is an important step for me,” said Ellison.

Keen to continue the momentum after his last win, an improved and confident performance against Curtis Gargano at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens in July, he has been sparring with English super-middleweight champion Darryll Williams in his last training camp.

“It’s definitely helping me to progress when sparring these guys because they’re all champions and all currently at a higher level than me.”

Ellison’s fifth pro bout will not be the last one this year as the busy boxer plans to fight twice more in 2017.