Young Mutley could fight again

West Bromwich's Young Mutley has dispelled fears of retirement by admitting he could be enticed back into the ring - under the right circumstances.

Mutley - real name Lee Woodley - vowed to call it a day if his return to title fights ended in a shattering defeat to Frankie Gavin, as the two duelled for the WBO Inter-Continental crown last month.

Although the 35-year-old lost on points, he became only the second man to go the distance with Gavin, despite tearing his triceps in the third round.

That injury has kept Mutley out of the gym since the fight, but he should get the green light to start punching again in a couple of weeks.

Any potential return will not be until the end of July at the earliest and Mutley insists he will not take just any fight, unless it's financially too good to turn down.

The British welterweight title has been Mutley's target ever since his five-month reign with the belt ended in 2006, with Craig Watson and Lee Purdy next to contest the crown in Oldham on July 16.

The likes of John O'Donnell and Junior Witter will also be looking for big tests on the back of losses, while Michael Jennings has long wanted revenge for Mutley ripping the British title from his grasp.

But Mutley insists that, if he does return to the ring, it will be on his terms.

He said: "I have always wanted another shot at the British title and I would still do it, even at short notice, as I am going to get myself super fit again.

"I would like to fight Jennings again, as well, to prove that I would beat him more convincingly this time.

"All I want is the right fights, any of the top lads or a title shot. I don't want to fight up-and-coming lads, I have got nothing to gain from it.

"It depends on the purse, as I have got a family to support, but I would prefer a title shot."

Watson and Purdy contest the British title in a rematch from their bout in April, where Purdy stunned the champion in five rounds to take his belt.

It was Watson who turned down Mutley as an opponent for the fight, as did Commonwealth title holder Denton Vassell earlier in the year.

Mutley said: "They thought Purdy was going to be an easier fight for Watson than me and Vassell wouldn't fight me either.

"That's the problem, they all want easy fights."