Sam Sexton has vowed to make up for lost time when he returns to the ring after an absence of 18 months.

The Norwich heavyweight steps through he ropes tomorrow on what he believes will be the route back to a title.

A former Commonwealth champion, Sexton's career had to be put on hold as he recovered from a painful back problem, but the 31-year-old insists he is now as fit as ever – and, importantly, as hungry.

'My ambition is the same as it always was,' said Sexton ahead of the show at the Halls in Norwich. It is to do as well as I can and get the belts. I want the British title – that is definitely the number one priority on my list. I have had the Commonwealth belt, but I want the British – everyone wants the British.'

The domestic heavyweight scene is flourishing, but with Tyson Fury on the world scene and Anthony Joshua likely to join him sooner than later, there are windows of opportunity.

'If a fight against Joshua has to come then it has to come,' he said. 'If you want to be the best you have to beat the best. But if he carries on the way he is going at the moment I can maybe see him bypassing the domestic fights and going for the Commonwealth and up to world levels.'

The road to the top for Sexton begins tomorrow.

'It has been a long time and I just have to make sure I get in there and do things right and shake off the ring rust,' he said.

'I know I am not going to be at my best yet, but we will see where I am at and go from there. I am coming back with no problems. I cracked a disc in my back and disclocated the spinal bone from the pelvic bone, and unfortunately the only way to recover from it is rest.'

Boxing starts at 7pm – tickets available on the door.