Tyler Denny is hoping to line up further title tests after getting his year up and running with a warm up bout on Friday.
The Midlands middleweight champion and English title challenger will lace on the gloves again at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday March 9.
The 27-year-old southpaw features on BCB Promotions’ show at their most often used venue, with the bill titled ‘Pride of the Midlands.’
Denny, from Rowley Regis, is determined to build another path towards national honours, after coming up short to Reece Cartwright at the Town Hall last September.
His opportunity at the English crown backfired to painful effect, sustaining an horrific split lip and heavy swelling by his right eye against the powerful Cartwright.
He kept on fighting until he was medically withdrawn but, as the injuries were caused by bona-fide blows, it was ruled an eighth round TKO.
He’s been back in action since, though, rolling over Darryl Sharp with a spotless six-round points whitewash over Darryl Sharp less than three months later.
He’s maintained his grip on the Midlands strap, too, which he claimed by outpointing Tom Stokes, again at the Town Hall, in September 2017.
Nathan Heaney, Kieron Conway and Kelcie Ball are potential opponents at area level, should Denny decided on a first defence.
‘Ruthless’ will first feature for the 14th time as a professional, looking for a 11th victory after recording 10 over-the-distance, with two draws also on his ledger.
He said: “I’m looking forward to fighting again, this is one to keep me busy before, hopefully, moving onto bigger and better things.
“Hopefully, there’s something good out there for me. If nothing comes along, I’d be willing to defend the Midlands title.
“If it came down to having having a six or eight rounder or boxing for something meaningful, it would be better for me and whoever my opponent is.
“The reality is that only one person has ever asked to challenge me for the Midlands. That was Ryan Aston, not long after I won the belt.
“I was on holiday, at the time, and couldn’t get ready in the time that was asked of me, but I did state that I would take the fight when I was fit. I never heard anything back.
“When you’ve competed at title level, that’s all you want to do and I’m getting to the point now where I’ll fight anyone.
“I know I’ve had my chance at the English, but I’ve already come back from the loss and I’ll be good to go again with another win on March 9.
“I’ve had my best and worst moments at Walsall Town Hall, winning and losing with titles on the line there, but I’ve always liked the venue.
“Being back there doesn’t bother me, in a bad way, because there’s nothing you can do when you get injuries like I did against Cartwright.
“I’ve trained hard for this, I’ve been over to Tenerife as part of my camp so I’ve put the work in. I feel great, I haven’t slacked off.
“I’ll get in there with the same objective I do every time, to take as few punches as possible while dishing as many as I can out. That’s what boxing is all about.”
Former British middleweight champion Tommy Langford is top of the bill as he moves up to super middleweight.
Ricky Hatton protege, Conah Walker, from Wolverhampton, is also in action.
Lightweight prospect Connor Lee Jones, of Brierley Hill, appears for the third time as a pro with two wins under his belt, both over the distance.
Black Country girl Kirstie Bavington, from Wolverhampton, completes the card with one success and a draw from her two paid affairs.
Tickets, priced at £35 standard or £65 VIP ringside with a buffet and waitress service, are on sale now from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900. It’s £40 for entry on the door.
