Gethin opponent pulls out again

Walsall's English lightweight champion Martin Gethin has told Stefy Bull to stop wasting his time after his first defence of the title was called off.

The Conisbrough challenger will has instead committed to fight at the Doncaster Dome on May 21, leaving Gethin with a non-title six rounder against Polish journeyman Arek Malek in Wigan on April 16.

It's the second time Bull has pulled out of facing Gethin, with the two first due to meet for the vacant title last December before the home fighter pulled out injured.

The Walsall puncher instead beat Graeme Higginson over ten rounds in January to take the belt, then turned his attention to a big defence to make further noises toward the British title.

Bull's pull out has put paid to that and it couldn't come at a worse time for Gethin, with two eliminators called for the Lonsdale belt with him not among the four fighters.

It means there is work to be done for the Black Country boxer, who will not be putting his trust in Bull again anytime soon.

He said: "Something has happened, because one minute I am defending the title and the next thing I have got Malek.

"I am disappointed, because it could another have been another big win to get my closer to where that British title. Maybe Stefy doesn't want to get to that high a level.

"I can't put my trust in him anymore, he keeps pulling out and if he doesn't want it, I will find someone else who does."

The 26-year-old now turns toward his replacement opponent with the fight set for Wigan's Robin Park Centre.

Malek may be small fry in title circles but the 32-year-old has been in with some of the best, such as Bull and Commonwealth lightweight champion Lee McAllister.

Gethin won't be expecting him to roll over, and will come to fight on the night.

He said: "I haven't seen him fight to be honest, I have heard all about him but haven't seen myself. It should be routine for me, but I don't take anyone lightly.

"At least I have got this fight to keep me ticking over."

Martin and his brother Steve, himself a Midland title contender, will be running the London Marathon just nine days after the fight, to raise funds for Cancer Research.