NICK Blackwell is ready to show the British boxing world what it’s been missing when he steps into the ring in the gamblers' paradise of Monte Carlo tonight.

The 23-year-old middleweight, from Trowbridge, brings a wait of almost eight months to an end when he takes on Belarusian Sergey Khomitsky in an eight-round contest at the Salle des Étoiles hall, part of the Sporting Monte Carlo complex, on the televised ‘Title Tornado’ tournament.

Contender Gym man Blackwell, who has twice fought for the British title and is in line for a third shot at the Lonsdale belt after being confirmed as the mandatory challenger to the winner of Billy Joe Saunders and Chris Eubank Jr’s meeting next month.

But he is in no doubt that he faces a mammoth task as he makes his ring return.

Khomitsky, 40, has been in the ring with the likes of Gennady Golovkin and Martin Murray, also stopping London’s Frank Buglioni to win the WBO European super-middleweight title in April, but sending out a fearsome statement will be the name of the game for ‘Bang Bang’.

“I want to go and prove people wrong. There are people out there saying that I’m not ready for this fight but you’re always going to get a few people like that,” said the Trowbridge fighter, whose bout is due to shown live in the UK on Channel Five.

“I’m used to having to go to places and having to knock the guy out to get a decision. But this time, it’s a (Mick) Hennessy show and things should be on my side.

“He’s at world level. He gave Martin Murray some problems and he stopped Buglioni.

“He’s strong and tough and if you take any shortcuts in training, you’re going to get beat up against him. But I don’t think he’s that good a boxer and my plan is go there and outbox him.

“I need to win and look good doing it.”

Blackwell, who was last in action when he beat Terry Carruthers in Bath back in April, headed for the French Riviera on Thursday with a hardy group of friends and colleagues in tow, including trainer Mark Kent and former stablemate and training partner Gareth Heard.

He added: “I’ve got a few people with me and there are a few mates there too because I don’t want people around me that are just going to talk about boxing all the time.

“I need a few jokes and a bit of banter there just to keep me relaxed.”