Nikki Bascome says he is “excited to get the ball rolling” after having his first fight in nearly two years confirmed.

The Bermudian has been pitted against Canadian Waseem El Sinawi in a lightweight bout that will headline the Epic Entertainment Fight Night Champion fight card at The Shed in Dockyard on January 29. The event will also be broadcast live on pay-per-view basis on channel 82.

“I’m excited; it’s been a long time so you want to get it out of the way and get the ball rolling,” Bascome told The Royal Gazette.

The orthodox fighter will be looking to build on his record of nine professional wins from ten bouts against his rival, whose record stands at two wins from five bouts.

“I’ve seen a little bit on him, it’s not going to be an easy fight,” Bascome added. “I don’t take any fight easy, and so I’m training hard and focused on being victorious.”

The 30-year-old secured a unanimous points decision in a super-lightweight bout against Ryan Oliver at the Fairmont Southampton in January 2020 in his previous outing in the ring. However, his career has been on hold since due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

El Sinawi’s wait for another bout has been even longer having not fought since his loss by knockout against Jamaican Devon Moncriffe in Kingston in June 2018.

“This is a very dangerous fight for both guys and it's definitely ending in a knockout,” organiser Teiko Furbert said. “I can’t wait.

“’Nifty’ Bascome is at the top of the boxing mountain in Bermuda and selling out venues island wide for a reason. His explosive power, style and take no prisoner attitude make him a captivating, must-see attraction.

“Canadian El Sinawi poses a surprising and possibly overlooked challenge. He’s an ultra confident power puncher on a mission. He’s an underdog with something to prove and that makes him very dangerous.

“This is by far his biggest opportunity to date and he’s going to leave everything in the ring one way or another.”

Bascome’s compatriots Andre Lambe, Michael Parsons, Adrian Roach and Krista Dyer are also included on the fight card.

Southpaw Lambe is a perfect 2-0 by way of knockout in his first two professional fights, which he will be keen to extend when he takes on Canadian Dylan Mcilvenny in a welterweight fight.

The 25-year-old impressed in his previous bout against Dominique Williams in Orlando, Florida in July.

It will be his first fight on home turf since his convincing win over Canadian Mat Hinchey on his professional debut at the Fairmont Southampton Hotel in January 2020.

“I can't wait to be back fighting in Bermuda and give my fans another memorable night," Lambe said. "McIlvenny is going to be sorry that he signed this contract. I'm going to punish him for as long as this fight lasts.”

“Everyone knows I'm coming for the knockout, so make sure you get a ticket or buy the pay-per-view.

“Fight Night Champion is where the stars shine, and I'm going to be ready to put on a show on January 29 in front of all the stars."

Orthodox fighter Parsons, who suffered defeat against Daniel Roach in his professional debut last year, will be looking to finally get a win under his belt in a middleweight fight with Jamaican Gregory Miller.

The opponents for Roach, who has enjoyed success recently competing for Crandall University in Nova Scotia, and Dyer have yet to be announced with organisers expected to release the full fight card soon.

Tickets will go on sale on Friday from 10am and can be purchased at Ptix.bm.

“This event has been a long time in the making and will provide the patrons with something worth waiting for,“ Furbert added.

“Make sure you’re at The Shed in Dockyard Bermuda or tuned-in on Channel 82 pay-per-view on Saturday, January 29, 2022.”

For further details visit www.epicbda.com or www.ptix.bm.