Ricky Summers thinks big after a 'perfect 10'

The Black Country light heavyweight steps through the ropes for a four-rounder with Lithuanian Egidijus Kakstys at Dudley Town Hall,

Summers is back after a break from boxing, partly down to having a minor operation on his chest, which cost him a title fight.

The 28-year-old was due to fight for one of the new Challenge belts against Prizefighter finalist Sam Couzens in September.

Contesting the vacant Midlands crown with Olly Newham also fell by the wayside, but Summers now has his eyes set on bigger prizes.

Bob Ajisafe is the British champion at the weight, while Travis Dickinson is in possession of the English crown. With an undefeated record in double figures, Summers could be in contention.

For the most part of 2015, the year has been somewhat of a write off for 'Digger,' but he agrees all he has really lost is time.

He said: "I haven't lost a round as a professional, never mind a fight, so it won't take me long to get back to where I was.

"I was getting a bit fed up with boxing, to be honest, but I've been promised there are big fights are in my future and that's made me hungry again.

"We've offered the fight to a few in the Midlands for an area title, but there's been no takers. I'm not sure how much good the Challenge belt will do me now, either.

"I won't do anything silly, but I want good opponents and that means going up to national level. I'd love one of the champions but, if that's not happening, maybe I can get an eliminator instead.

"I'm 28 now and don't want to be hanging around at this level for much longer. I want to fulfil my potential, for my fans as much as me."

Summers has settled back into the gym at Priory Park Boxing Club in Dudley but, after a stop-start training regime, will rely on his instincts.

He's been paired with Kakstys, an international foe who has competed in over 30 paid contests at the age of just 23.

Kakstys put up a fight against debutant Nicky Powell last time out, winning one of the four rounds and taking a share of another before going down on points.

Among the spectators that evening at Aston Villa Football Club was Summers, who said: "He's clearly a tough kid and I thought he'd done enough to win.

"It's all about blowing the ring rust for me, really, and getting the win anyway it comes. It's not been the best camp, but I'll be fine."

Dudley's Ryan Aston tops the Town Hall bill in a six-rounder against Christian Hoskin-Gomez, who should provide stubborn opposition after his recent run.

The Devon-based Spaniard, with 13 bouts on his record at just 20, has taken two points wins and a draw from his last three outings.

The rest of the card, all four-round contests, will see Rowley Regis' Tyler Denny undertake a tricky test at light middleweight against the capable Chris Jenkinson.

Unbeaten Denny, a tough southpaw from Shaun Cooper's gym in Brierley Hill, has scored a hat-trick of paid points wins and floored James Conroy in his last contest.

Jenkinson represents a step up and comes to spoil the party. He nearly put a blemish on the record of Bloxwich's Daniel Breeze, who had to win the fourth and last round to avoid a draw.

Netherton's Les Byfield will have his work cut out for him with the durable Dan Carr, who has only ever been stopped once in 83 pro contests.

'The Minefield' is back on track, though, having won on points twice since losing his pro debut. The lightweight floored Michael Stupart last time out, too.

Brummie Matt Windle, formerly an amateur at Warley Boxing Club, turns pro on the show and will be looking to have the last word over Anwar Alfadli.

The punching poet, who teaches the literature in schools by day, will be looking to put in a super-heroic performance in fitting with his 'Matt Man' persona.

Super flyweight rival Alfadli will be happy to play the villain having completed 60 pro bouts, failing to complete the distance on just four occasions.

Former world kickboxing champion Brad Foster, from Lichfield, will become one of the youngest professionals in the country when he debuts against Josh O'Donnell at bantamweight.

Tickets, priced at £35, £50 ringside and £70 stage, are still available and will be on the door. For more information, call 07976 283 157. The show's after-party is at the nearby Castle Hill Casino.