Mutley's back by Tom Podmore Jul 3rd 2008

Trying to find an opponent for Young Mutley is as hard as his left hook. That's the assessment of his promoter, busy Black Country-based Paul (PJ) Rowson, who has West Bromwich's former British welterweight champion topping his next professional bill – an eight-fight card at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on July 24 that sees the Midlander box for only the second time in 2008. The sledgehammer-fisted 32-year-old, a former English and Midland Area light-welterweight titlist, sees action over eight-threes against Sergejs Savrinovics, four wins and a draw in 12, with the knowledge that the durable Latvian has extended another former British 10st 7lbs champion and also taken a round off a touted Turkish fighter dubbed ‘Mini Tyson'. Belfast puncher Neil Sinclair was taken the full six by Savrinovics last summer in Cork and German-based Turk Selcuk Aydin, the current WBC international welterweight champion who has won 12 of 15 (all wins) by stoppage, was extended the 18-minute distance in February last year. The 26-year-old has only been stopped once (retired on his stool) and looks set to give the Black Country banger a solid test. Mutley, meanwhile, knows a win will keep his dreams of a crack at his old belt alive. He was flattened in eight rounds by Colin Lynes at this venue 12 months ago but has shrugged that off to rebound with two decent comeback victories. The Errol Johnson-trained scrapper, 24-3 (13), outpointed Ukrainian Vladimir Borovski over six last year and followed that up by knocking out slippery southpaw Kevin Placide in March. Both of his opponents since the Lynes capitulation have been foreign and Rowson said: “When he was the British champion they were jostling in a queue to fight him. They knew he was a big puncher but they were prepared to take the risk when there was a title as prestigious as the Lonsdale Belt at stake. “But with him having no title strapped around his waist… not many fighters want to know,” continued a promoter who is putting on his sixth professional show of the year. “Errol (Johnson, matchmaker, trainer and co-promoter) has been forced to search on international shores once more. “This could be another platform for Mutley to get back to where he wants to be. He has proved he can box and bang so we have to get him back up there with the best again. If he does well then he can strengthen his claims for another shot at a recognised belt and go on and win it.” Other men on the First Team bill include undefeated Stourbridge light-welterweight Scott Evans, 4-0 (2), Dudley southpaw Jamie Ball, 1-0, Telford middleweight Keiron ‘Slammer' Gray, 2-0 (1), Birmingham heavyweight Neil Perkins, 2-0, and Halesowen welter Kevin McCauley, 0-1, who takes on Tamworth's Matt Seawright. Brierley Hill's Martin Gordon looks to get his first win in his seventh fight (one draw), taking on Leeds' winless Chris Thompson. Returning Joe Skeldon, 1-2, the son of former British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight title challenger Roy, sees action for the first time since a six-round loss to Clive Johnson nine years ago. The 36-year-old Black Country (Tipton) scrapper will make his comeback at  middleweight. Tickets are available from Paul (PJ) Rowson on 07976-283157, Errol Johnson on 07852-268333 or the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on 0870-3207000.

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