Fábio Costa has vowed to produce another devastating knockout on his return to Bermuda as he prepares to face Mexico’s David Martínez at the Fairmont Southampton on Saturday.

Costa gained notoriety on the island after condemning home-town favourite Nikki Bascome to his only professional defeat by a technical knockout in 2017 and intends on finishing Martínez in similar fashion.

The ten-round bout for the vacant IBA International Welterweight Championship will be the main event in Return Fight Night, which also features Bermuda amateur Andre Lambe in action for the final time before turning professional.

“My preparations have been good and more intensive than last time,” said Costa, who is undefeated in seven bouts.

“I’ve prepared to fight ten rounds.

“I have come here with same attitude as last time and that’s to win. I’m going for my third [career] knockout.”

Costa, who adopts the moniker “stone hands”, says he is happy to take punishment as long as he can also give it and has challenged Martínez to go toe-to-toe with him in the centre of the ring.

“I think it’s going to be a good fight,” said Costa, who will once again count on the vociferous support of the island’s Portuguese community.

“He’s a tough guy, but I am too. It’s going to be a show for the people. If he maintains his style, I’m going to maintain mine.

“I want David to come forward to me and give a good fight for the people. I believe I have more power than him.”

After beating Bascome, Costa took a 12-month hiatus from boxing and has fought just once in two years, defeating compatriot Ricardo Luiz on points in Portugal in April.

Conversely, Martínez has remained active since losing by unanimous decision to Bascome for the IBA strap 12 months ago, defeating countrymen Luciano Araujo via disqualification and Jesús Sandoval by a technical knockout.

“Winning the belt will mean a lot to me, Costa said. “This has been ten years of hard work. It feels good to back in Bermuda; it’s like home for me and the people treat me well here.

“It makes me even more motivated to win for the [Portuguese] community.

With Bascome, who vacated the IBA strap to drop down to super lightweight, moving back up to welterweight to face Englishman Ryan Oliver at the Fairmont Southampton in January, Costa said he is still keen for a rematch against the Bermudian.

“I would like to fight Nikki now, but it’s not possible,” he said. “Maybe one day he will want to fight me again.”

Tickets costing $225 for ringside, $175 for VIP and $85 for general admission, are on sale at Sports R Us, Cafe Açoreano, Kit N Caboodle, Sousa’s Landscaping Southampton or online at www.bdatix.bm. For more information, visit www.bermudaboxing.com or follow the Bermuda Boxing Federation on Facebook and Instagram (boxingbda)