AS Tariq Quaddus’ return to the sweet science gathers pace, the Swindon-based super-middleweight is proving that hard work and commitment pays off.

The 23-year-old, who until March, had not been between the ropes for five-and-a-half years after turning pro under Frank Warren.

Following a win and a defeat in 2008, Quaddus disappeared off the face of the boxing planet, but with a taste for pugilism once more, he is set to make his fourth outing for his Greenbridge manager Keith Mayo on June 7 on the undercard of Kelvin Young’s first defence of his IBO super-middleweight inter-continental title at the Oasis Leisure Centre.

And fresh from his third successive shut out points win over four rounds, this time against Jody Meikle, Quaddus is determined to continue his rise.

“I do believe this is what I’m here to do,” he said “Box comfortably and win comfortably - which is exactly what I have been doing.

“After the fourth round of the Gloucester fight (the second bout of Quaddus’ comeback) I felt that I could have done another two rounds.

“I’ve spoke to (trainer) Richard (Farnan), and I possibly could go up to six rounds on the Swindon show, I think I can do it.”

When he returned to the ring in March at the Oasis, Quaddus showed plenty of skill and a plethora of spiteful body shots. And since then he has only got better, with Farnan purring over his latest victory.

With a dream of reaching the top, Quaddus, who combines his training with a full-time job, is well aware of what is needed to get there having spent time this spring training with the Great Britain amateurs in Sheffield.

“I get into the gym at seven in the morning, I rush through a session and then rush to work, then I’m back in evening,” he said.

“But I could only go to Sheffield the once because I couldn’t afford to spend too long there as I had to work.

“I want to take my training to the next level, be able to do it full-time, but to do that I need sponsorship.”

When Quaddus made his return to the squared circle, he was billed as a light-heavyweight, but it is fast becoming apparent that his future lies in the congestion domestic 168lb division.

“I was 12 stone 10 on my first fight back, 12-6 in Gloucester and pretty much the same in Peterborough,” he said.

“I walk around as a light-heavy, but when I train I’m naturally a super-middleweight.

“Once a light-heavyweight title fighter has weighed-in they usually put on half-a-stone before they get in the ring, so that is not for me.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring Quaddus should contact him on 07747 778485.