TRAINER Shaun Cooper says Chris Male has returned to boxing because he “eats, lives and breathes the sport.”

Male announced his retirement last month, citing he could no longer commit the time required and was lacking motivation after losing an English featherweight title clash with Josh Warrington last November.

But the 30-year-old is now scheduled to appear on the undercard of the Midlands welterweight title showdown between Steven Pearce and Sam Eggington at Dudley’s The Venue on May 3.

Cooper explained the sudden change of heart.

He said: “It was doing Chris’ head in being away from it all, not being in the game.

“He eats, lives and breathes boxing and he wants to get back into it.

“He is training hard. I think the defeat to Warrington played on his mind a lot but he wants to put things right.”

Male suffered from injury and inactivity in the 18 months prior to meeting Warrington and claimed ring rust played a factor in his defeat.

Leeds-based Warrington made a successful first defence of the title against Jamie Speight last Friday and Cooper acknowledged Male would have to work hard to get back into title contention.

But he revealed the postman had been inspired by watching friend and training partner Pearce claim the Midlands welterweight crown earlier this month by stopping Derby’s Luke Gallear.

He said: “I think Steven winning gave Chris a boost.

“It gave him the hunger back as he saw Steven having success and wanted that too.

“They have always been good friends and joined my gym at the same time.”

Two more of Cooper’s fighters, light-middleweight Kyle Spencer and super-middleweight Andrew Robinson, also appear on the show which promises to capture the imagination as both fighters topping the bill are from Stourbridge.

Tickets are priced at £30 unreserved seating and £60 Ringside to include a three-course meal (tables of 10). They are available from The Venue Box Office on 01384 453 101.