Marcus Portman to fill Al Harbi spot

West Bromwich will still have an influence in the main event at Birmingham's New Bingley Hall next month after Marcus Portman replaced Young Mutley.

Portman has taken Mutley's place in the 10-round light middleweight top liner on Friday May 11 against hometown fighter Nasser Al Harbi.

It's another comeback fight for Portman, who has boxed just three times in nearly four years since challenging for the Commonwealth title in 2008.

The 31-year-old also competing for the British crown the previous year after becoming a WBU world champion and will be in his 31st pro contest.

The original plan was for Portman to be eased back into action with a four-rounder on the bill at Walsall Town Hall a day later, on May 12.

But a big offer from promoter Dave Coldwell has enticed him into the longer distance with the undefeated Al Harbi, who needs a high-calibre test.

The 22-year-old's goal will be to make up the ground of English title contention, after drawing a blank at the same venue last month.

His eliminator against Coseley's Jamie Ball on March 16 was ruled a technical draw in the fourth round, after he picked up a cut.

The title shot has now gone to Andrew Lowe, who Ball stopped to win the Midlands belt last year, against new champion Erick Ochieng.

Mutley - real name Lee Woodley - pulled out of facing Al Harbi last week for reasons that were, initially, unclear but believed to be work-related.

The boxing binman, 35, is expected to work differing shift patterns as part of his day job.