A YOUNG boxer who feared his fighting days were over following a cardiac arrest has returned to the ring in victorious fashion.

South Wye Police Club boxer Kane McKenzi collapsed at work last September and was admitted to Hereford Hospital before being transferred to the Queen Elizabeth in Birmingham for an emergency operation.

The 22-year-old was devastated about the thought of giving up his passion but was helped and supported by the club.

He said: "I always wanted to box, I tried other sports and martial arts, but boxing always was the sport that I wanted to do. I was lucky enough to come to the South Wye Police Club and had just started to learn about the sport when it happen, I was gutted.

"When I got home from the hospital, the realisation that I would never be able to compete inside a boxing ring started to sink in, once returning to the gym a few month later I began to just focus working on my footwork drills while slowly progressing my punching speed and power as my health began to improve.

"There were many hurdles along the way with having to be cleared to box which wasn’t easy due to my circumstances. The club put me through my level one coaching course to keep my upbeat. I truly see this more as a boxing club, this is a family and we all look after each other whether someone’s had a bad day in the office or lying in a hospital bed.

"I cannot thank the club enough for what they have done for me over the past 18 months, not only have they supported me while going through my operations but they have always been in my corner, even if my boxing career was ended before it started.

"I am forever grateful to my coaches and the squad boxers for being there for me and coaching me into the boxer I am today."

Kane returned to competition just three days after getting the all clear for his last cardiac MRI. He won by unanimous decision.