LISTEN: Le Poullain aiming to put on show in 'final' local fight

The Commonwealth Games man anticipates this appearance at St Pierre Park being his last bout as a Guernsey resident, after which he will go travelling for an extended period before returning to his former home of Alderney.

‘It’d be nice to have a good performance for everyone who's come to watch me over the years,’ he said.

‘There’s guys at the Dinner Boxing Club who have been coming since I was 11 years of age, so I’d like to put on a nice, big explosive performance for them and kind of get their money’s-worth out of their ticket.’

Le Poullain is planning on leaving this summer and travelling over a span of one or two years.

• Podcast: Hear a full interview with Billy Le Poullain on this week's Guernsey Press Sport Podcast (from 3:56)

He has already taken a significant break from competitive action, having been out of the ring since the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

But his passion for boxing remains. He is still very hopeful of representing Guernsey at the next Commonwealths, while he also intends to continue training on his travels.

‘I feel like I’ve had a significant break,’ he added.

‘It’s going to be a learning experience away, being in new gyms, new environments and I imagine I’ll probably get the bug back for it.

‘That’s normally what happens – I say I’m stepping away from it and the minute I announce I’ll not be able to fight for a while, I’m chomping at the bit.’

Le Poullain knows that he can come back stronger after time out. After all, he had practically quit the sport over lockdown before his recent resurgence, which also included an England debut, winning the Haringey Box Cup and coming close to a national title.

So could we see Le Poullain, sharper than ever, in the ring at Victoria 2026?

‘If I can stay in gyms, get good sparring in and good coaching in, I’ll probably come back better than I have been,’ he added.

‘I’m excited to see where I’m going to be in a few years’ time.’