Boxer Chris Male could avoid surgery

Cradley featherweight Chris Male has been boosted by the news that his badly broken hand sustained in battle may not need surgery.

Male broke his right hand in two places with the fourth round punch that dropped Melksham's Liam Richards for a count in their fight at Wolverhampton Civic Hall last Sunday afternoon, but gamely fought through six more sessions to claim a points win and the vacant British Masters title.

The 27-year-old was rushed to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley that night, where his hand was put into plaster after an X-ray, then referred to an appointment with a specialist at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham on Tuesday.

Male's breaks are just underneath one of his knuckles and at the guide at the bottom of his wrist, but have been put into a tighter cast which it's hoped will hold the broken bones in line enough to set themselves, with further news expected after another X-ray in a couple of weeks.

But, in the best case scenario, surgeons will not have to operate and insert a metal plate into his hand to reset the bones.

Nonetheless, 'the Male Man' - a postman by day - is out for three months at least and will need three to four additional months of intense physiotherapy, although the fighter himself is hopeful of being back in the ring by the end of the year.

He said: "I have been told there will be no operation unless there absolutely has to be, so it's a great result for me if it comes off. I did ask the specialist when I can punch with my right hand again, he's just laughed at me and said 'come on mate, you are looking at three months at least.'

"They took the first cast off and my hand was totally black, it was horrible. The new cast has made it a bit sore, but I am on some really strong painkillers that are making it a bit more bearable.

"It's not the best feeling in the world, but at least I have hope that I won't need an operation."