Tony Hill is targeting a run to the British title as he returns to the ring after the cut that stalled his progress.

The 28-year-old Southampton boxer had thought he was on the path to the British crown after landing a place in a light heavyweight tournament that guaranteed successful fighters a path to fight for the belt.

Hill was fancied by many pundits to get through to the final title fight, but was stopped by a hugely unfortunate cut caused by a clash of heads in his contest for the Southern Area title against Leon Senior.

It meant Hill bowing out of the competition in the most frustrating way possible, and he has been left to stew while Bob Ajisafe and Travis Dickson line up for the title at some point in the future after an injury to the former caused the contest to be delayed.

Hill will return to the ring tomorrow night at Fleming Park as he aims to shake off any ring rust, with another fight planned for just two weeks later as he tries to manoeuvre himself to head of the queue to fight the eventual British title winner.

His trainer, Wayne Batten, explained: “After that hiccup with the cut it will be nice to get him back out.

“What we really need to do now is get Tony active again, and that’s why I also have him down to fight in Swindon on November 1 too. The plan is to keep him busy and two fights in a couple of weeks will get him sharp and ready again.

“Tony is still ranked fifth or sixth but the British title is tied up at the moment because of the tournament that Tony was in and sustained the cut in. That was just so unlucky because we really felt he might go on and win it, but in boxing cuts happen sometimes and it was just awful timing.

“We would like to get Tony to fight the winner of the British title. I think that is realistic and a fight that could be made, but we have to keep him busy in the meantime.

“Tony needs to be active to make sure he isn’t just swanning along.

“I don’t want to see his talent go to waste because he’s got so much ability there.”

Also on the bill, sponsored by Silverlake donate-a-car, is another Southampton lad in the shape of Rich O’Connor, along with Rich Walker, who makes his pro debut.

Bournemouth based Jake Gosling and Matty Legg are also fighting, along with Wade Armour.

Tickets are available on 07753 128759.