Ross Blackwell has six long years to make up for.

The Wombwell boxer, who turned 25 earlier this month, last boxed professionally way back in September 2011 as a fresh-faced nine stone teenager.

He is back now, filled out, and with a desire to give professional boxing a second go.

Blackwell has that chance when he returns to the ring at the Barnsley Metrodome on October 6.

Blackwell said: "I am still quite fresh and I know that I still have plenty left to give. I turned professional at 18 and had a year at it. In all honesty it was too early. I was a decent amateur but there wasn't anything for me to do in the amateurs as I never got scouted for England.

"Professional boxing was completely different to amateur boxing. Pro boxing is a man's man's sport whereas you can get away with more in the amateurs."

Blackwell puts down an early career loss to the wily Delroy Spencer, which he later avenged, to his naivety.But the babyface has gone, tattoos adorn his skin and he now speaks with more sureness.

After beating the journeyman he got another win to take him to three victories and a defeat as a professional.

That is a decent foundation with which to restart his career and he will be coming back with more physical weight and also that of experience.

"I think I will be boxing at welterweight (a stone and a half heavier than before) or light-welterweight for day before weigh-ins," he predicted.

"I've naturally grown. I've always kept boxing and I've been training some white-collar lads but I have also stuffed my face too."

Blackwell was originally trained by his dad John Blackwell and Mick Wale.

He has chosen to re-enter the sport alongside the hugely successful Mexborough-based Stefy Bull.

It is no surprise why.

Blackwell added: "I had always been with my dad in the corner but he has lost interest in boxing.

"Stefy's gym is thriving – particularly with the Barnsley lads. Robbie Barrett is British champion and my best mate. You also have Josh Wale as British champion too and the likes of Jason Cunningham (Commonwealth champion) at the gym.

"If you associate yourself with successful people then I believe you become successful yourself. I have set up my own business (Design Scaffolding) which is keeping me busy but it also gives me the flexibility and freedom to train.

"I am going to take it step by step and hopefully get in two or three fights before Christmas and then crack on next year."

Blackwell will join fellow Barnsley men Ben Davies and Ben Wager on the Metrodome bill.

The show, which will be the first professional one in Barnsley in 2017, will see Monk Bretton's Wager challenge York's unbeaten Danny Holmes for the Central Area lightweight crown and Dodworth's Davies in with Harry Matthews, also of York, in a ten rounder.

It will also feature a Central Area super-bantamweight title fight between Artif Ali (Accrington) and Paul Economides (Chester).

Two more British title defences have been booked in for Barnsley men.

Darfield's lightweight champion Robbie Barrett will defend his title at Manchester Arena on October 7 against Lewis Ritson from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Barnsley-born cruiserweight Matty Askin will head to Edinburgh the night before to defend against Scot Stephen Simmons.