BACK IN THE GAME: Aaron Ross will make his return to professional boxing next Friday, almost eight years after his last bout. The 29-year-old has been training under ‘Buster’ Nigel McWilliams (second photo) and will compete in a Cruiserweight match-up in Sydney. Photos: PAUL MENSCH

By MITCH RODD

NORMALLY the gloves are off when it comes to fighting, but Aaron Ross has his firmly strapped back on.

It has been almost eight years since the 29-year-old last stepped into the ring for a professional bout, but he believes there is no time like the present to have another go at in-ring combat.

After moving from Mildura to South Australia at age 16, Aaron competed in about 80 amateur bouts before turning professional at 19. Fighting out of Adelaide, Aaron had four wins and five losses from his nine bouts, including two title fights.

The gloves were hung up, however, when he returned to Mildura at 22.

Now having teamed up with well-renowned ’Buster’ Nigel McWilliams at Xtra 10% Personal Training, Aaron will re-enter the ‘squared circle’ to take on Casey Caswell in a Cruiserweight (91 kilogram) bout next Friday, March 1, in Sydney at the Fenech Fight Night.

Despite a significant period of time out of constant training and fighting, Aaron said: “It is just like riding a bike”.

“I’m feeling pretty good. There’s not too many other guys to spar with, which makes it a bit hard, but I’m ready to go,” he said.

“I’ve been working with Buster for eight months or so. It is (coming back), but it’s a lot harder on the body. Mentally I feel stronger but the body is taking a bit longer to recover.”

When asked why he wanted to fight professionally again, Aaron simply replied: “I want to do it again before I’m too old.”

“After my nine pro fights, I moved back here at 22 and there really wasn’t any boxing around,” he said.

“I’m hoping to have at least 20 before I give it away for good. I want to do it as quickly as possible so I’ll probably try and get them in over the next two years or so and get the most out of myself before finishing up.”

Aaron, who contended for the Victorian Cruiserweight Championship and the Australian Light Heavyweight Title in 2010, will face a dangerous opponent in Noosa native Caswell in his return. Caswell, 28, has won all three of his pro bouts via knock-out.

The Mildura fighter, however, boats two ‘KO’ victories of his own, and is ready to face the Queenslander.

“He’s had three wins all by KO. I’ve watched his fights and picked up on a couple of his weaknesses. We’ve got a plan in mind for him,” Aaron said.

‘Buster’ McWilliams said he was “fully confident” in Aaron ahead of his return to the ring.

“He’s trained really hard for the last six to eight months, probably working for five days or so each week,” he said.

“You get out what you put in, and he’s put in the hard yards.

“I don’t think his time out of the ring will make a difference, they way we’ve trained, I don’t think there’s any rust left in him.

“It will all depend on what happens on the night but I think he’ll be fine.”

Aaron Ross and Casey Caswell’s Cruiserweight bout is currently scheduled to be the first bout on the card at Fenech Fight Night, beginning at 7pm. Belts for International and Australian titles will headline the fight card, which can be live streamed online via Epicentre.tv.