Cromer boxing twins Liam and Ryan Walsh are back in the title hunt, despite suffering mixed fortunes in their quest for a prestigious British crown.
Ryan is eyeing a match-up with Josh Warrington for the featherweight title, while Liam defends his Commonwealth super-featherweight title in Manchester later this month – having seen his scheduled clash against Gary Sykes, with the British title also on the line, postponed yet again after the Yorkshireman had surgery on a broken finger suffered in a fight against John Kays at the end of May.
'Was it ideal to have such a tough fight against Keys just eight weeks before? Probably not, but either way he is injured,' said Liam. 'The fight has been postponed and I am absolutely devastated about it.
'But my time is going to come – it just keeps evading me.
'I am happy to defend the Commonwealth title, happy to fight a lightweight if there is a good fight there. I just want a decent fight and keep training towards Sykes and the British title – that's the fight I want.
'I think it is a cracking fight – if I try and pull myself away from it and be neutral I do think it is a good fight. His biggest asset is his fitness, his work rate, he can fight hard. I am not going to let him maul me and get on top of me so at some point we are going to come to a head and it will be exciting, no doubt.
'I am excited – I really want to fight Gary Sykes. It is nothing personal, I am just excited about the fight.'
While Liam waits for Sykes, Ryan looks set to for another crack at the British featherweight title, having lost to Lee Selby last October. Ryan made his reappearance on the Nelson's Warriors show in Norwich on Friday and looked as crisp and sharp as ever as he beat the highly durable Ibrar Ryaz over six rounds.
Trainer Graham Everett said: 'It was perfect for Ryan – he worked hard for six rounds. He should now be number one for the British title, it should put him in the mandatory position after his great performance against Lee Selby. Josh Warrington has really raised his game and what a great fight that would be. Hopefully, maybe October time, that fight is on.'
Liam fights on the Tyson Fury-Dereck Chisora bill at the Phones 4U Arena in Manchester on July 26. For tickets call 07920 114698.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here