Femi Fehintola has declared his New Year resolution for 2008 - to get Carl Johanneson back in the ring.

The Bradford super-featherweight is determined to avenge the only loss of his 19-fight professional career by beating his Yorkshire rival.

Fehintola was gunned down by the heavy-handed British champion in an unsuccessful tilt at the Lonsdale belt 14 months ago.

Now bigger and wiser, the 25-year-old is actively pursuing a second crack at the Leeds title holder.

Johanneson pulled out of tomorrow night's scheduled defence against Kevin Mitchell at York Hall with a training injury, amid rumours that his preparations had not been going according to plan.

That fight still has to go ahead before Fehintola is sanctioned to face the winner.

But whatever happens against Mitchell will not affect Fehintola's aim to get even with Johanneson.

He said: "It doesn't matter whether Johanneson beats Mitchell or not, I want him this year. In my opinion, I don't think he will be around much beyond that.

"I want to get in there while he is still at the top and rated. If Mitchell wins, then Carl Johanneson will be looking for a way back again and that would be against me.

"I'm the English champion, which is a step down from the British, so why not face me? Then I'd put an end to his career."

Fehintola has painful memories of their first meeting in Barnsley. He was put on the canvas four times before referee Howard Foster waved it off midway through the sixth round.

But Fehintola has bounced back from that dark night with four wins, most recently an epic ten-rounder against Steven Bell, and insists the outcome of a rematch would be very different.

He recalled: "I said when Johanneson beat me that I needed another 12 to 18 months, then I'd show him. I've got more strength and experience and I'm ready now to put the record straight.

"I've improved a lot since last November and I think he has gone downhill."

Fehintola returns to the ring on March 1 when he defends the English bauble against Jamie McKeever at Sheffield's Don Valley Stadium.

Birkenhead's McKeever (18-8-1) has challenged unsuccessfully for both the British and Commonwealth belts and should provide a good test.

"I got used to fighting every other week last year and the rest has done me good - but I've got to keep active and see how things pan out elsewhere," said Fehintola.

"McKeever is a tough fighter and has more experience than me, so it doesn't look easy - although I'll make sure it will be. I don't want to be making it like another Bell fight."

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