Jimmy Stewart will return to the ring Feb. 4 for the first time since being awarded the International Kickboxing Federation super welterweight title.

Stewart was awarded the vacant title in October after his opponent pulled out of a scheduled world championship fight.

The Butler resident (19-0, 11 KOs) will face Mark Norge (6-0) of New Castle in a 10-round non-title bout as part of a pro fight card at The Radisson Hotel in Morgantown, W.Va.

Norge, who also sports a 5-10 record as a professional boxer, jumped into the ring during a Stewart bout at the Stewart Center in May 2003.

"He was bad-mouthing me and challenged me even back then," Stewart said. "We've been trying to put something together and finally did."

Norge lost a pro boxing bout to 1992 U.S. Olympian Dante Craig (11-4) in October.

Stewart is using this bout as a tune-up for his first IKF title defense, slated for Southern California in May.

He will fight either Fernando Cavales (29-5) of Mexico, the No. 1 contender in his weight class, or Eric Marshall (37-5) of Bradenton, Fla., the No. 1 contender in the weight class below Stewart's.

Stewart and Marshall were scheduled to fight for the then-vacant IFF super welterweight crown in October. Stewart was awarded the title when Marshall pulled out of the bout due to injury.

"I'll fight either guy, but the promotion favors Cavales because giving a Mexican guy a title fight out there would bolster the crowd," Stewart said.

Stewart's last fight was a 12-round unanimous decision over Bernard "Swiftkick" Robinson last October in Morgantown.

Tickets for the Feb. 4 bout are available by calling the Stewart Center at 724-285-3725 or Milich Auto Wrecking at 724-287-1001.