Chris Male returns to exorcise his demons

The punching postman returns to the scene of his English featherweight title defeat on points to Leeds' Josh Warrington in November, his first loss.

Male hung his gloves in February after ditching plans to fight at Wolverhampton Civic Hall the following month but changed his mind just weeks later.

Now 'the Male Man' plans to deliver at the Venue against vastly-experienced Slovakian Elemir Rafael and then get back in the hunt for national titles.

The 30-year-old said: "I'm feeling refreshed and ready to go again, but I put so much in to the Warrington fight.

"I was mentally and physically drained afterwards. I jumped the gun by announcing my retirement.

"It was a snap decision after the defeat and, within a few weeks, I knew that I wasn't ready to give up boxing. It's in my blood and I'm not ready to walk away from it."

Male has endured an injury-riddled pro career since turning over in 2008 ,which has already seen him sustain a badly broken hand and torn rotator cuff.

Injury and inactivity kept him out of the ring for 14 months before facing Warrington and the Yorkshireman was simply too busy for Male on the night.

He said: "I had an injury that kept me out of the ring for a long time before the Warrington fight, then I got myself in decent shape but lost the fight.

"It was tough to take. I felt like my chance to achieve something had slipped me by. I didn't want to become one of those fighters who just does the rounds.

"But I have taken stock though and now realise that an undefeated record is not the be all and end all.

"If you lose, you have to learn from it and I have done that."

Undefeated light middleweight Kyle 'the Style' Spencer, from Brierley Hill, boxes on the under-card against Dee Mitchell, replacing tough Brummie Andrew Patterson, over four rounds.

The 23-year-old scored his first pro KO last time out when he blew away Jimmy Price in the opening round at Burton Town Hall in March, his sixth win.

He said: "I can't wait. That first round knock-out experience has given me a real boost.

"I felt a lot stronger and sharper against Price. When I felt that left hook catch, I was buzzing. I was buzzing all night, to be fair. The rush you get, that feeling, is brilliant.

"Not many of my fans could make it to Burton, so only a handful saw my knock-out. For this show, there will be 70 to 80 of them, so I'd love to give them another knock-out to talk about."

Northampton's Ashley Lane has joined the bill to fill in for Dudley's Dean Anderson - off the card for personal reasons - in a four-round featherweight contest against Scotland's James Ancliff.

Tickets are still available, priced at £30 for unreserved seating and £60 at ringside, which includes a three-course meal.

They are available from the Venue Box Office on 01384 453 101.