Respected boxing veteran John Rice is to return to the ring at Clash of the Titans 23.

In what looks to be an exciting return, the titans of Just Grind MMA and Fitness will box at The Carnegie Theatre, Workington, on March 30.

It is a renaissance in many ways as a stalwart of the boxing game from Dearham will also make his return.

In a high level bout, Rice will take-on David Orr, coach of Scotland’s Warriors Gym. The fight card will be a battle for the border as a number of Just Grind’s fighters are facing opponents from the Scottish club.

Women’s boxing stand-out Natalie Hynes will face Sonia Carruthers who has a wealth of combat sports training. Scott Wotherspoon will also make the trip to oppose Just Grind’s rangy powerhouse, Shane Roe.

In his 30-year boxing legacy, 50-year-old Rice, of Dearham, has out-boxed Jab Fight Club coach Jon Lund of Southport and former bareknuckle boxing champion Decca Heggie.

During the boys’ club days, Rice struck a close bond with Just Grind’s boxing coach Dave Straughton, passing on his knowledge as his long-term coach.

And Straughton now coaches the next generation.

The two were reunited at the gym in St John’s Court as camp began for COTT 23, they swapped war stories and sparred for old time’s sake.

Rice has been in the mix with Just Grind’s boxers in preparation for his return.

He has had sparring sessions with Whitehaven’s John Ennis, teenage prospect Alex Nicholson and MMA veteran Carl Ward.

Just Grind has a reverence for combat sports history. The walls are adorned with samurai artwork and coaches have a lineage which stretches back to the pioneers of their discipline.

Tickets are still available – contact Peter Gilmour on 07478 654646. Fans can follow the fighters’ progress in camp on the Just Grind Facebook Page.