How Myles Holder's career was saved

Willenhall's Myles Holder has revealed a physiotherapist saved his boxing career as he returns to the ring after a 15-month absence.

The 21-year-old takes on Waddington's Ryan Clark in a four-round middleweight contest at Walsall Town Hall tonight, just down the road from his home in Portobello.

It ends a frustrating period of inactivity for Holder, who needed 15 weeks of physiotherapy at the back end of last year to cure a long-standing back injury.

Doctor David Starkey came recommended by his sponsor, ArcsnSparks Corporate Clothing in Willenhall, and the sessions were paid for by his uncle, John Donovan, his other main backer through his JJX Logistics company.

And it could be a new Holder at work after learning lessons in his last fight back in November 2009, where he was floored for the first time as a pro in the third round against Dave Sadler, but recovered to win on points.

Clark, a busy battle-hardened brawler, would be keen to exploit such a weakness and Holder admits it's a stern test after so long out.

He said: "Ryan is a very tough opponent to have after 15 months out of the ring, he comes to fight and I am going to have my work cut out for me.

"But I have trained hard enough, although I have got a bit of ring rust to overcome. I am a good, all round fighter and I have never met a boxer who is stronger than me at the weight.

"Sadler was also tough and he gave as good as he got, but he put me down with a walk on shot that caught me off balance, which was me being careless with the first two rounds in the bag.

"I am not going to rush in and get carried away again, I am going to take my time with him and work him out."

Tickets for the bill tonight will be available to buy on the door at Walsall Town Hall from when the doors open at 7pm.