ALEK Penarski is banking on strong local support when he makes his comeback fight against Wayne "Mad Dog" Barker.

Bolton's 46-year-old former light-heavyweight title contender returns to the ring for the first time in almost a decade on Monday when he fights the Salford journeyman for the vacant British Boxing Federation cruiserweighht title at Manchester's Piccadilly Hotel.

The big fight bill has proved a huge attraction but ringside dinner tickets are available by calling 01204 667068 or 0161 724 4101.

"I''ve never felt better," Penarski said as he went into his final week of training for the £5,000 winner-take-all bout.