Steve Cannell isn’t interested in bluster and politics. He just wants to fight.

The 31-year-old Halifax boxer will challenge former sparring partner Tyson Cave for his Canadian super bantamweight boxing title Aug. 17 at the Halifax Forum Multi-Purpose Centre. It will be rematch with Cave defeating Cannell on a unanimous decision for the title in 2009.

Cannell has been absent from the ring for the past 14 months dealing with Bell’s Palsy. While he still has some symptoms from the illness, he’s been cleared to return to the ring.

“It’s a blessing to be able to get back in the ring and to have my health back again,” Cannell said Monday. “I got all my medicals done and everything has checked out.”

The Bell’s Palsy left half of Cannell’s face partially paralyzed and he still hasn’t recovered full mobility on the left side of his face. He can open and close his eye and can move his upper lip, but he still has problems with his upper cheek, bottom lip and the top of his forehead and the disability may be permanent.

“It hasn’t affected me yet in sparring or working out or training. My eye weeps a bit now and then, but that’s it.”

It’s a contentious fight with Cannell and Cave operating out of the same gym and with the same trainer, Bunny Phillips, until recently.

Cave and Phillips split last week with Phillips questioning Cave’s work ethic. Phillips and Cannell immediately challenged Cave for the title, forcing Cave to accept or relinquish the belt.

It wasn’t exactly the fight he was looking for, but he accepted the challenge.

Cave believes the actions of Phillips and Cannell amount to disrespect and he vows to knock out Cannell in their rematch, even end his career.

“It’s a fight,” said Cannell. “If he doesn’t want it he doesn’t have to take it. They were looking at bringing in a guy from Mexico and paying him just as much money as they are paying me as well as hotels and airfare. We have an opportunity to put on another great fight here in Halifax.

“It’s not personal. It’s the name of the game. Guys fight each other from the same gym all the time. Boxing is not about making friends in the ring. It’s about fighting.”

Cannell said he got caught up in the hype of fighting Cave three years ago and won’t make the same mistake again.

“I didn’t fight my fight. I let circumstances get to me and I shouldn’t have. This time I think the key to victory will be to fight my fight, stay composed and stay relaxed and be a professional. That what I have to do.”

He said he’s unconcerned about rust. He’s been in the gym for the last seven months.

“I’m sharper than I ever was. I’m sharper than I was when I was 24. I honestly feel that way. I started really late in this game and at the age of 31 I feel like it’s all starting to come together for me.”

Cannell is 7-4-3 and is 4-1 since the loss to Cave. The 30-year-old Cave, who holds three professional titles, is 17-2.