BRADLEY SAUNDERS ends a six-month hiatus with an eight-round test against Renald Garrido in Liverpool this evening.

The Sedgefield-born boxer, now living in Marbella, takes on the Frenchman on the undercard of Stephen Smith’s world title eliminator at Liverpool Olympia, broadcast live on Sky Sports.

The light-welterweight has been out of action since injuring his right hand ahead of a scheduled Commonwealth title fight with former champion Dave Ryan.

Now training with Danny Vaughan, the undefeated 140-pounder is looking forward to his return to the ring.

“I’m in a good place now with my boxing, everything’s good. I’ve been out for obvious reasons but I’ll just listen to Danny Vaughan in the corner,” said Saunders, whose last performance resulted in a fifth round stoppage over Stephane Benito at the Ice Arena in Hull on March 7.

“I don’t need to be proving anything to anyone, as long as I do the right things for my coach and for me, then I’ll be happy.”

Garrido has never been stopped even after sharing the ring with big-punching WBO Inter-Continental light-welterweight champion Jack Catterall, who has halted eight of his 12 opponents to date.

“I know he’s never been stopped,” said Saunders of his opponent. “He comes forward, comes for a fight and doesn’t allow anyone to put him on the back foot.”

“He went the distance with [Serhiy] Fedchenko who beat DeMarcus Corley to become European champ and he floored Robbie Davis Junior in their fight.”

Four of Garrido’s last five fights have been eight-round contests whereas Saunders has only completed eight rounds once, in November 2012 against Irish champion and MGM stablemate Peter McDonagh. But Saunders is confident of his chances in Liverpool.

“I’m good to go the distance, been doing eight rounds with Derry Mathews here at the MGM so I’m doing them easy enough so should be good to go with anyone,” said the 12-time national amateur champion.

“I’d like to fight twice more this year but it’s down to whatever Eddie Hearn and my manager Daniel Kinahan have in store for me, I’ve already said I’ll fight anybody.”

In the main event, Stephen Smith (22-1) will face Devis Boschiero (37-3-1) which will be a final eliminator for the IBF World Super Featherweight title, currently held by Jose Pedraza (20-0).