After a nine-month layoff, Jimmy Stewart is climbing back into the ring.

Stewart, 42, of Butler hasn't competed since winning the World Kickboxing Organization and World Wide Kickboxing Federation super welterweight titles with a second-round knockout of Keith Nesbitt of Rochester, N.Y., last October.

Stewart will face Bernard "Swiftkick" Robinson for the third time Friday in a 10-round bout in Morgantown, W.Va.

This will be Robinson's final fight. The South Hills fighter recently ended his boxing career at 10-20 with an eight-round loss by decision to Luiz Gonzales of Puerto Rico.

"Gonzales was ranked fourth in the world," Robinson said. "My boxing record isn't very good because I fought all of the top-ranked guys in my division.

"My heart is in kickboxing. Winning this last fight is very important to me," he added.

"He wants to close out his kickboxing career by facing the highest-ranked opponent available to him," Stewart said. "That's me."

Stewart (17-0, 11 KOs) already owns two 10-round unanimous decisions over Robinson (52-4, 31 KOs). The two last fought each other July 20, 2002.

"The second fight was much closer than the first," Robinson said. "And we fought before in Butler. This time we'll be fighting at a neutral site and I'll feel a lot more comfortable.

"I need to get started earlier (in the bout), not put myself in a position where I have to knock him out to win. I feel like I can win this fight. I'm sure Jimmy has other ideas," he added.

For the past two years, Stewart has been chasing a shot at the International Kickboxing Federation title.

"The IKF belt is the most recognized and it's the one I want," he said.

Then-world champion Vladimir Avtamanov of Omsk, Russia, was to come to Butler in October 2002 for a title defense, but visa problems forced cancellation of the bout. Stewart was to face Jim Zbilski of Illinois last summer with the winner getting the now-vacant title.

Zbilski broke his foot weeks before the fight and it was cancelled.

Since then, Stewart has lost a cousin and a brother to unexpected deaths.

"It's been rough, dealing with the frustration and tragedy," Stewart said. "Guys my age are usually sitting in the audience watching fights.

"But in kickboxing, it takes years to mature as a black belt. Guys my age are crafty in this sport. You just have to take care of yourself. I live in the gym. It's what I do," he added.

Stewart signed a contract Sunday to fight Atlanta's Jerry Tramel (18-1) in Atlanta in four weeks.

Stewart owns the IKF U.S. light middleweight title and will be defending that belt against Tramel, the No. 1-ranked contender.

A loss to either Robinson or Tramel could affect Stewart's bid for an IKF world title fight against Zbilski this fall.

"There are other undefeated guys out there, and if you lose, they can pass you up in the rankings," Stewart said. "That's the chance I'm taking, but I feel like taking these fights will best prepare me for a title shot."

Stewart has promoted 21 kickboxing shows in Butler in recent years. He's hoping to fight Zbilski in either Atlanta or Los Angeles.

Friday's fight will be sanctioned by the West Virginia State Athletic Commission and will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Morgantown. Tickets are available at the Stewart Center by calling 724-284-3725 or by calling Simons Promotions at 304-290-0291.