Nikki Bascome is relishing his return to the ring as part of a co-main event on the Epic fight card at The Shed in Dockyard on March 30.

The Bermudian is scheduled to fight a six-round welterweight bout against 37-year-old American Rashad Kilpatrick, who has won seven, three by knockout, and lost two of his nine professional contests to date.

It will be Bascome’s first fight since he overcame Alvin Lagumbay, of the Philippines, by unanimous decision in May last year, extending his professional record to 12 victories and one defeat.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back in the ring,” said Bascome, who is determined to silence any lingering doubts over his ability to warrant being the headline bout.

“Last time out I felt like a lot of people were starting to doubt me and didn’t really believe in me any more before the fight, so I felt like I had to prove them wrong.

“Any sort of doubt just gives me more motivation to show what I’m capable of. Obviously I’m hoping to put on a show again, because I always train to win every fight. I always try to give 100 per cent and go into any fight to do what I’ve always done.

“Hopefully we get a good turnout and I can put on a good night for my fans and supporters.”

Despite his opponent’s greater height and reach advantage, Bascome, while fully aware of the threats posed, is confident of finding solutions to deal with southpaw Kilpatrick.

“He’s a really tall and rangy kind of southpaw fighter which can be difficult to face,” added Bascome on his opponent, who beat Juan de la Cruz Rodriguez, of El Salvador, by unanimous decision in Baltimore in September last year in his previous fight.

“I will be a challenge for sure, but my team and I are more than confident that we can win the fight. We have a gameplan for every opponent that I face so it will be up to me to go in there and execute that plan.

“Most of my career I’ve come up against fighters who are taller than me and so that doesn’t really bother me.

“You get used to it and in some ways it has played into my favour with the way that I like to fight. I’m fully aware of what I need to do going into this fight and so it’s up to me on the night to do just that.”

While fully focused on the task at hand, Bascome admits thoughts have already turned to life after boxing, with greater emphasis on significant aspects of his life outside of the ring.

“I’ve always said I will do whatever I can to keep the sport going in Bermuda and give back when I can,” he said.

“I still want to fight and feel like I’m in great shape with a lot of gas in the tank.

“I’m fully focused on the upcoming fight, but sometimes I have thought about how many more I want to do.

“I always said I had a target of wanting to reach 15 professional fights and I’m getting nearer to that goal now.

“I’ve put my body through a lot over the years and at time when you’re alone in camp you reflect on the sacrifices you’ve made and the toll that it can take.

“I’m married now and being away from the family is time that you can’t get back. As I said I’m still excited to fight, but I also know that other things have to come first and so it’s about finding that right balance.

“Boxing has always been something that has helped me tremendously to stay on the right track in life, but I now have a lot of responsibility outside of boxing as well and so it’s important that I keep that foundation in focus for when I decide it’s time to stop.”

On the night Bascome will be sharing top billing with compatriot Andre Lambe, who will be facing American Kenny Paklos.

The bout will feature the 28-year-old Bermudian putting on the line his American Boxing Organisation welterweight title, which he retained in a majority decision over Mexican Sergio García Herrera in October.