Shropshire boxer Mark Lloyd's winning return

Shropshire boxer Mark Lloyd has made a winning return to the ring after a five month absence.

The Shifnal puncher ran out a 39-38 points winner over Luke Osman of Wales in a four-round contest at Birmingham on Monday night.

Lloyd took the fight - which saw him step up to light middleweight from welterweight - at short notice.

And the 35-year-old admitted he wasn't at his best.

"I only knew about the fight two weeks before and, while I was fit, the sharpness from being in the gym wasn't there," said Lloyd.

"I caught him with a couple of good shots but couldn't finish him off and it was a good old-fashioned tear-up.

"But it's a win and I will stay in the gym in the hope of having a title shot before Christmas."