Mark Lloyd is ready for a return to action
Telford boxing pro Mark Lloyd faces a daunting return to the ring tonight after nearly five months away.
The 37-year-old Punching Plumber will attempt to shake off the ring rust over six three-minute rounds against Birmingham's highly-rated Nasser Al Harbi at Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester.
The bout, on the undercard of Matthew Hatton's fight against Michael Lomax, was made after Al Harbi's original opponent on the card – unbeaten Mick Hall – pulled out injured.
Lloyd, a former Midlands Area welterweight champion, has not boxed since his brave five-round stoppage defeat to Canadian puncher Pier Olivier Cote in May.
Manager and coach Errol Johnson admitted the six-round distance was not ideal but his charge needs valuable ring time as he prepares for a
British Masters Welterweight title shot against unbeaten Chris Higgs in Gloucester on November 23.
"This fight won't affect the other because it is at light middle but he hasn't boxed for so long we need to get him in the ring," he said.
"We would have preferred 10 or 12 rounds and the title fight is our main aim, but we'll be trying to win both."
