Young Mutley targets one last shot

West Bromwich's Young Mutley is hoping to launch a last-ditch bid for a major title in the autumn - but will retire at the end of the year if the fight doesn't happen.

The 35-year-old last vied for the WBO Inter-Continental welterweight crown against Birmingham's Frankie Gavin in May, losing on points after tearing his left tricep muscle in the third round.

It was his first fight for over a year, during which he has been turned down as a challenger for both the British and Commonwealth titles.

But Mutley - real name Lee Woodley - returned to training after his injury last week and can now punch the pads without any reaction.

The former British champion also attended his first boxing show since the Gavin fight last Saturday night, watching Gavin retain his crown against Curtis Woodhouse at Liverpool's Echo Arena.

Being there on fight night gave Mutley a fresh impetus to carry on but champions are not falling over themselves to challenge the veteran, a known puncher in the division.

Mutley now plans to hover around the 10st 7lbs welterweight limit and stay fighting fit, but will quit the sport if he continues to be overlooked.

He said: "When I am back in training fully, I can be ready for a fight in two to three weeks. I know what takes now to get the fitness I need for 12 rounds.

"I have got the hunger back and I am just hoping to get a fight, but I want to take on one of the top lads.

"I just want to go out there and show what I can do, I was nowhere near that against Gavin, the torn muscle put me right back.

"I want to fight again but, if I don't get offered the chance, there's nothing I can do, unless it comes at late notice because of somebody pulling out."

Mutley went out for a drink with Sheffield fighters Kell Brook and Ryan Rhodes after the Liverpool show, having twice been due to face Brook for the British title in 2009.

'Special K' is now looking to crack the global market while Rhodes is coming off the back of his own world title shot, losing in the last round to WBC light middleweight champion Saul Alvarez last month.

The domestic belts have always been Mutley's target and regaining the British title has been at the forefront of his mind, especially coming towards the end of his career.

A fight with then-champion Craig Watson in April never materialised as Lee Purdy was picked instead, with Purdy stopping Watson in five rounds to take his crown and then repeating the trick in Oldham last weekend.

Commonwealth title holder Denton Vassell also turned down Mutley as an opponent, but the Black Country fighter is refusing to give up on his dream of once again tasting domestic glory.

He said: "Lee Purdy is not a strong champion and neither is Vassell, I would love to fight them and would fancy my chances of doing a job against them.

"Purdy would be a good fight, he keeps coming forward but it's been the same my whole career, no-one wants to fight me because I can punch."