Eggington won the EBU welterweight title in 2017, but is now going to fight at 154lbs against German opponent Abass Barou on March 1.

He last fought in May in 2023, stopping Joe Pigford in five rounds to give his opponent his first career defeat, and the gap is an unusually long one for a fighter who tends to stay busy, but Eggington is not concerned.

“I think the ring rust thing isn’t totally a myth but if you’re in the gym, you’re in the gym. Personally I don’t think ring rust is a huge problem,” he told BoxingScene.com.

“Since I fought Pigford I had a holiday a week after and haven’t stopped training since so I don’t believe it’ll be a massive deal. I like to stay active and I would do if I had the choice but I don’t think it’s gonna be a big deal. I don’t have to hate someone or prepare for them to do 12 hard rounds. I’ll do 12 hard rounds at the drop of a hat.

“I think I’ve shown in a few fights - against Carlos Molina, [Ted] Cheeseman and a few others - that I can box but if it goes off and the fight lights up, that’s meat and drink for me. They’ve gotta keep it on the end of a jab or box because otherwise it’s fun and games for me and people know that so we’ll see what the kid brings and see what he can do.”

He added: “I’ve had people telling me from the start that the way I box I’d end up having a three or four year career and that I won’t be able to box like that.

“Every fight I get it. ‘That’s another hard fight, he’ll retire soon.’ Well, if you keep saying that you’ll be right at one point.”

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