Skeldon back in the ring

Tipton slugger Joe Skeldon restarts his quest to bring boxing gold to the family when he faces Jason Smith at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Thursday night.

The light-middleweight steps back into the ring a near 10-year absence. He walked away from the sport in 1999 after a points loss to Clive Johnson in london, leaving to run a window tinting business.

Business opportunities have been plentiful since then but one burning desire remained that could wait no longer - the urge to compete in a boxing ring.

He said: "I had to face up to the fact that I am only happy when I am boxing. You can earn as much money as you want but I could never lose that urge to compete.

"I felt that I had been retired for long enough. I probably retired too early anyway. But now I am back and ready to give it my all. Whatever happens, at least I won't be thinking about what could have been."

Boxing certainly runs in the Skeldon family. Dad Roy was a British Heavyweight title contender in the 1970's and 1980's, fighting 38 professional bouts before retiring in 1991.

Dad will be in attendance for son's comeback fight come Thursday and has been giving him a few pointers from his own wealth of experience.

Joe said: "I can still learn a lot from Dad. He has always been a great influence and that has not changed. He will be helping me to train.

"I feel really good going into the fight. I found it hard to get fight at first after so long, but now I am back into a routine I feel great."

For the 30-year-old, now his ultimate goal is to acheive what Dad never did - capture a British title.

He said: "I reckon I got probably five or six years left in me, so I need to kick on. A Midlands title fight would be one step on the road to British title.

"That is what I want to acheive. I could retire happy after that and with real pride in what I had achieved."

You can be there for Joe's big comeback by buying tickets from promoter PJ Rowson on 07976 283 157, or from the Civic box office on 01092 312 029/0870 320 7000.