Hank Lundy returns to lightweight, will face John Delperdang on Dec. 30

“Hammerin’” Hank Lundy (26-6-1, 13 KOs), coming off a 10-month layoff and knee surgery, will be making his return to the lightweight division next weekend where he’ll take on John Delperdang (10-1, 9 KOs) in a scheduled 12-rounder. The bout will take place on Dec. 30th at the BOOM Fitness Center in Cincinnati.

"I'm ready to make a statement at 135 (pounds)," Lundy said. "I've been chasing a title down there, but had to jump to 140 because no one will fight me at 135. They know I'm a monster there. (In 2017), I will be a world champion at 135, no ifs, ands or buts about it."

Lundy, 32, is most recently coming off a fifth round stoppage loss to Terence Crawford in February, but now looks to move down to a division where he experienced more success in the past.

Jimmy Burchfield, who is promoting Lundy, says that the pair have big plans for Lundy in the coming year.

"Starting Dec. 30 and going into 2017, we will fight at 135 pounds and fight for a world title. Hank deserves it. He hasn't backed down from anybody. [Raymundo] Beltran, [John] Molina, [Richar] Abril, [Thomas] Dulorme, Crawford, [Viktor] Postol -- no one in boxing has done that. We came up to 140 because no legitimate 135-pounder wanted to fight Hank. Now we're back in business."

California’s Delperdang, 24, is a fairly new to the professional ranks, having started his career only in 2015. However this will be Delperdang’s ninth fight of 2016. But even still, he hasn’t faced anyone near the caliber of Lundy before, who has a lot of experience against top opposition.