Martin Gethin travels to Luton next weekend and never will a bout without a title on the line be more significant for the Walsall fighter.

The former English lightweight champion takes on Birmingham’s Jason Nesbitt at the town’s Liquid Envy nightclub next Sunday afternoon, in a bout that means nothing on paper.

If only that was the case for Gethin. He needs to win and in style, after a succession of hard luck stories leave him looking to punch a run of three straight defeats into touch.

Otherwise, his hope of a Commonwealth and British title double could be on hold indefintely.

He had been pencilled in as the main contender for the Commonwealth crown before his last loss, but now the Lonsdale belt could be up for grabs as well.

Champion John Murray has been stripped after failing to make the weight for his demolition of Scott Lawton in Wigan eight days ago.

He must now face the British Boxing Board of Control to explain why he was not under the 9st 9lb limit.

So for Gethin, there is really no more time to waste.

He said: “I need a win, that is all there is to it. I am going in there with a killer instinct, my plan is to wipe the floor with whoever is in front of me from now on.

“It’s been a bad year so far and I have had plenty of rotten luck, but that has got to turn now.”

The 25-year-old’s tale of woe began in Nottingham last December, as he relinquished his title to Scott Lawton after suffering a cut.

It continued in a British title eliminator against John Murray, who was declared the winner on points in his backyard of Liverpool in March – despite grimly holding on for dear life in the final round.

The third stunned everybody, as another controversial decision at the final bell handed Chris Long the win in Birmingham last month.

Gethin added: “It will be good to get back into the ring and get the win I should have had last time – and the time before!”

To be there for the big fight, contract promoter Paul ‘PJ’ Rowson on 07976 283 157.