Male gunning for Warrington re-match (From Halesowen News)

Male gunning for Warrington re-match

5:11pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 in Sport

CHRIS Male has warned English featherweight champion Josh Warrington the pair have unfinished business.

Warrington inflicted a first professional defeat on Dudley’s Male when they met for the title at The Venue back in November.

But Male, who will step back into the ring at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on March 9, blamed the points defeat on ring rust thanks to 18 months of inaction prior to the fight. The 30-year-old postman is determined to secure a re-match later this year.

He said: “I know deep down if I can push him that close when I was rusty, I can hurt him. I’m not saying it will be an easy fight for me second time around but I feel like I’m the better fighter.

“I never thought going into the first fight the ring rust would affect me as much as it did.

“I don’t feel like I did myself justice.

“His people said after the fight they were willing to give me a re-match and now I just want to put things right.”

Defeat to Warrington came at the end of a frustrating period for Male in which injury and bad luck kept him out of the ring.

Touted fights with former Olympian Joe Murray and Jon Fernandes for the English belt both fell through and the Dudley fighter lost any momentum gained from impressive wins over Fikret Remziev and Dougie Curran in the first half of 2011.

Male admits he considered retirement in the day’s following the loss but feels he still has plenty to give the sport.

He said: “I think if you ask any fighter in the days after they have lost for the first time, they will admit quitting crosses their mind.

“I’d put so much effort into my preparation, I was devastated not to be taking the belt home. But after a couple of weeks I knew I would be back.

“Everyone knows how hard I train and I know I can achieve a lot more in the sport than I have already.”

The Civic show will be headlined by Birmingham middleweight Thomas Costello, who meets Bristol’s Danny Butler for the vacant English title.

Priory Park trained fighters Ricky Summers, Lance Brooks and Luke Paddock are also scheduled to appear. Tickets, priced at £35 and £55, are available from Box Office on 0870 320 7000.