Portman will fight on in 'Prizefighter'

The former WBF light middleweight title holder considered calling it a day after the disappointment of fighting to a draw with Sheffield's Tyan Booth for the Midland belt in October, following on from unsuccessful cracks at the British and Commonwealth crowns.

But the 29-year-old has been rejuvenated by the news that on the horizon could be the first-ever light middle offering of 'Prizefighter,' with Leicester's Martin Concepcion - who won the vacant Midland title earlier this month - confirming he had been approached with a view to taking part.

Until organiser Barry Hearn gives the green light, there is still an element of doubt, but the prospect alone is the talk of the division.

Names such as Bradley Pryce, Gary Woolcombe, Matthew Hall, Yassine El Maachi and Booth himself are being bandied about to fill the remaining slots of the eight man, one night, winner-take-all tournament with February 12 a mooted date.

Any involvement of Pryce and Woolcombe would put revenge in Portman's mind - they were the boxers who ended his domestic dreams.

And the Black Country boxer confirms his name is in the frame for 'Prizefighter.'

He said: "It's 90 per cent certain that, if it does get the go-ahead, I will be a part of it. I would fancy the three round fights because I do my best work straight from the off and that's why I think I have a good chance.

"I am waiting for the call really so, touch wood, there will be an official announcement before long.

"It's a risk, if I go out in the first round, then where do I go from there? But the rewards are also there for what 'Prizefighter' can do for a boxer. It can make stars overnight, not to mention the substantial prize pot at the end of it.

"The winner of the tournament will surely be next in line for the British title."

A deflating draw after an ugly fight with known spoiler Booth in Nottingham left Portman moping for weeks after the fight and only this month was the fighter talked out of retiring.

It took a heart-to-heart with trainer Errol Johnson, who has guided him since his teens and is the push behind the 'Prizefighter' move, to change his mind.

Portman said: "After the last fight I was very disappointed, more in my performance than anything else, and it got to a point where I really considered retiring. But Errol convinced me that I do have plenty more left in me.

"It was a mini-retirement so to speak, because if he hadn't have talked me round I probably would have walked away from the sport. But I went back to the gym this week and I feel fresh again."