KARATE king James Winsper is hoping to produce a Christmas cracker during his first competitive bout in four years at Kidderminster Town Hall on Sunday.

The 26-year-old makes a return to the ring when he takes on Bristol’s Atteq Rehman.

He tops a bill packed with local fighters, who will be trying to prove themselves in full-contact bouts in front of a nearly sell-out crowd.

Winsper is also aiming to put on a show for the home crowd and secure a convincing victory, which he hopes will act as a spring board to a British title fight.

The fighter has been taken aback by the public support in the build-up to his comeback fight.

“I’ve had people I’ve never met before come up to me in the street and ask me how my preparations are going,” said Winsper.

“It’s a great feeling to have the town backing me all the way.

“I’ve also got a lot of school friends and family coming to watch the fight so I am eager to do well for them.

“Training has gone well. I have been focusing on three three-minute rounds in sparring and I feel sharp and ready to go for the fight.

“I am hoping to win it with a knockout, which would be something special.”

Halesowen’s Luke Swingler, who instructs at Winsper’s Kidderminster martial arts school, will be taking on Birmingham based Mark Graham.

Junior Luke James, 16, will be taking part in his first full-contact bout, while Redditch’s Adam Madeley fights with Omar Dickinson.

The evening start at 6.30pm, with the main bout between Winsper and Rehman set to start at 8pm.

On tickets "The tickets have sold really well, there's a few left on the day for people who can buy a ticket on a door.

"Otherwise, it's a sell out and for a small provincial night it's going to be an excellent crowd."