Anthony Nelson is back.
The South Shields star will return in a show in his hometown on Sunday, April 28, almost two years to the day since his last contest.
Nelson headlines a Steve Wraith promotion at Temple Park.
The 32-year-old has been inactive since losing his Commonwealth super-flyweight title to Jamie Conlan in London.
“I can’t wait,” he told punch-lines. “I’ve had all my medical tests done, my weight’s coming down and I’m ready to go.
“I had to have a week off the other week when I was poorly and I didn’t want to pass on what I had to the lads who were training for their fights.
“I don’t know who I’m boxing but I’m looking forward to boxing and boxing in Shields.”
While the Mal Gates-trained fighter was beaten in his last outing, his reputation was enhanced by his performance in a bout which won British boxing’s Fight of the Year award.
Instead, he hung up his gloves after becoming disillusioned with the sport when a couple of mooted championship bouts did not come to fruition.
“I wasn’t put off by the fact I lost, I had no problem with that,” said the former Horsley Hill ABC star. “It was what came after.
“I lost my sponsor straight away then I was promised a fight and nothing came of it.
“I didn’t have a sponsor and if you don’t fight you don’t get paid.
“I had a family to look after so I had to go back to work and I was working away on two to three week periods doing 12 hours a day, so I couldn’t get to any gym.”
The popular boxer, nicknamed ‘Babyface’, got back in the Harton & Westoe Miners Welfare last year. While a little chubbier than when he had left it, Nelson has been shedding the pounds and building his fitness towards a comeback.
Nelson boasts an impressive career log of 11 wins (including Northern Area, English and Commonwealth successes) and just that single loss, to Conlan.
Team-mate, Sam Menzies, pictured above with the master, will also be in action on the bill, along with unbeaten Teessiders, Josh and Kalam Leather.
Words: Roy Kelly
