Male lands home English title shot

Cradley's Chris Male will finally get his shot at the English featherweight title at the fourth time of asking with a home fight to take place in Dudley.

Male has landed a fight with Leeds' Josh Warrington for the vacant crown on Friday November 9, which could take place at Dudley's the Venue.

The punching postman has seen two meetings with Joe Murray and, in recent weeks, a clash with Jon Fernandes called off before fight night.

'The Male Man' was willing to box away from home each time against Murray in Newport and Bolton and then, in Fernandes' case, London.

The whole bill was called off the first time against Murray last November and, the second time around in February, Male pulled out injured.

After recovering from a torn rotator cuff, a match with Fernandes was booked for next month but was scrapped due to poor ticket sales.

With the belt - which hasn't been competed for in six years - still up in the air, luck as gone Male's way this time with a fight in the West Midlands.

Both are unbeaten with their pro record's in double figures and Male's trainer Shaun Cooper - despite a 14-month ring absence - is confident.

He said: "I know how to work Chris, I have worked with him from day one, so I will be able to slow him down and speed him up.

"It's no fault of ours his earlier shots haven't come off but he's always fit and he eats, sleeps and breathes boxing.

"He's the most dedicated fighter in our camp and if these guys don't get the cracks they deserve, they walk away from the game.

"We need champions in the Midlands and this home shot is no less than Chris deserves."