THE rules of engagement are different but the ring is the same ... and, when you are preparing for your first fight for almost a decade, a helping hand is always welcome.

That is why Bolton veteran Alek Penarski can be found sparring in the unlikely setting of Sandy Holt's Bolton Thai Boxing Club gym.

"Sandy's helped me out an awful lot," says the 46-year-old Penarski who meets Salford's Wayne "Mad Dog" Barker next Monday for the vacant British cruiserweight title.

"He's a great guy and very enthusiastic about his sport.

"I've gone through a dozen sparring partners already - light-heavyweights, cruiserweights, the lot. I'm delighted with the way training has gone. In fact I'm a lot more settled in my mind now than when I was fighting regularly."

Penarski was one of the top light-heavyweights in the country 20 years ago, when he fought Denis Andries, Tom Collins and Keith Bristol for the British title.

He officially retired at the age of 34 but made a handful of comeback attempts before hanging up his gloves for good .... or so he thought until the bait of a £5,000 purse and the British Boxing Federation belt tempted him to renew a long-standing rivalry with Barker in the winner-take-all 10 rounder at Manchester's Piccadilly Hotel.