ASHLEY THEOPHANE is looking to bring his storied career to an end with a ‘farewell and homecoming fight in one’ against Sam Eggington.
The British welterweight – who was signed by Floyd Mayweather in 2013 – has not fought on home soil since 2012.
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But he will make his return to the UK on Friday, December 11, against Sam Eggington.
Spurs fan Theophane, 40, says it is the perfect occasion to close out his 60-fight career – but is gutted he cannot do so in front of his London fans.
He told SunSport: “I’m looking forward to fighting back home.
“That’s the main reason I’ve taken this fight. End my career with a farewell and homecoming fight in one.
“I’ve come close to fighting here in 2018, 2019 and this year with Josh Kelly and Conor Benn offered by Eddie Hearn. We just couldn’t come to an agreement.
“I had two successful fights with Hennessy Sports. I’m aiming to it three.
“I would have preferred my family and friends there but they’ll be watching on television.”
Theophane left Mayweather’s Las Vegas team in 2017 to began a ‘World Tour’.
He would amass ten straight wins, fighting in Germany, America, Hungary, Ghana, Poland, Mexico, Romania, Denmark and UAE.
The former world title challenger was content in staying with his legendary promoter in America.
But Theophane was desperate to continue his fighting future on the road with the hopes of returning home to see out his career.
And with retirement potentially 12 rounds away, he said: “I was happy to stay and live in Las Vegas.
“I loved it there and made friends for life. I left to do my world tour and fight back home.
“I was already successful before signing with Floyd.
“That was the main reason he signed me. To give my career a boost as I’d been doing it in the shadows without much mainstream recognition.
“I’d still beaten world ranked fighters, been British champion and face big names. He just wanted to shine a light on me and my career.
“I was happy to finish boxing after beating former world champion Kassim Ouma in Denmark. Achieving my 50th professional win in a 12th country last October.
“I’m content with everything I’ve achieved. I won’t be boxing past 40.”
Theophane has already been putting in the ground work for life in retirement.
He is now a qualified England Boxing amateur coach and has aspirations to set up his own gym.
But the affect of the coronavirus pandemic has delayed plans to open the ‘Treasure Boxing Club’.
Road warriors collide!
@eggington_sam vs @AshleyTheophane on Friday 11th December. Live & free on @channel5_tv. #EggingtonTheophane pic.twitter.com/M7g7mpeytk
— Hennessy Sports (@HennessySports) November 14, 2020
Lockdown did afford Theophane time to complete his own book, called ‘Raised by the hood’.
He said: “I put plans in place to open Treasure Boxing Club. But lockdown happened and everything was put on hold.
“During lockdown I started training the neighbours kids and it snowballed from there.
“I enjoy working with kids of all abilities. It’s all about giving back now. I’ve achieved my dreams so I’d like to help others, achieve theirs.
“I released my book, ‘Raised by the hood’ during this time. I’d been working on it for years but finished it during lockdown.”
Theophane’s final fight promises to be a thriller as he faces Birmingham’s Eggington, renowned for his exciting style.
The 27-year-old lost his last bout in a close encounter against Ted Cheesman and also shared the ring with ex-world champion Liam Smith last year.
Eggington’s biggest night came in 2017 as he beat and retired Paulie Malignagggi.
He has also campaigned on the road, like Theophane, which immediately won the respect of the Londoner.
Theophane said: “I expect an all out war.
“I’ve only seen him against Paul Mallignaggi in the past but from what I’ve seen from his record.
“He’s willing to go anywhere and fight anybody. So I respect that about him. He’s a former British, commonwealth and European champion.”
