British title contender Dean Harrison returns to the ring at Wolverhampton Civic Hall looking firmly up at the challenge ahead.

The hometown light-welterweight fights on Friday week for the first time since his biggest disappointment – defeat to Paul McCloskey in his big shot at the Lonsdale belt in March.

That was the first time the 25-year-old had ever been stopped, but Harrison vows he returns as a better boxer who will challenge for major honours again.

Now a newlywed after a Las Vegas wedding to fiance Stacey – two days before watching firsthand Ricky Hatton’s crushing defeat to Manny Pacquiao – the popular competitor has his head fixed firmly on business.

He said: “I’m not making excuses, but I took the McCloskey shot at very short notice and had to lose 17 pounds – I was just dead at the weight.

“But it was a great learning experience, not many people get their shot at the British title after just under two-and-a-half years as a professional. It maybe just came about 12 months too soon for me.

“My goals now are to win this fight, get a few more under my belt over this year and get the mandatory challenger’s spot next time.

“I just want to get busy now, fight every six to eight weeks and get myself up those rankings again.”