Mould makes ring comeback

The all-action Sunderland fighter, part of the in-form Mal Gates’ stable in South Shields, will face Michal Vosyka over four rounds at the Lancastrian Suite.

It marks a welcome return for the “Mackem Mexican” whose last outing was a battling defeat for the vacant English welterweight title in Blackpool last June when he lost on points to Adam Little.

Gates told the Echo that he is happy to see Mould back where he belongs, although his comeback date can hardly be viewed as a formality.

His opponent is no mug – the Czech fighter floored another Sunderland boxer in his last outing, though Isaac Macleod recovered from a visit to the canvas to win on points at Houghton on the undercard of Tommy Ward’s British super-bantamweight championship eliminator.

Gates is looking for Mould to get 12 good minutes under his belt to dust off the ring-rust ahead of a Northern Area title derby with Hartlepool’s Anth Hardy in May.

“Lee needs the rounds,” said Gates. “He’s got big fights coming up so this is an important bout for him.

“He’s looking as good as ever – he’s had some great sparring with Adam Little.”

Mould has won seven and drawn one of his nine paid contests.

As always, he gave it his all last summer against Little, the Blackpool boxer winning via a unanimous decision.

But with another title encounter coming in a matter of weeks in Darlington, Friday night’s match will be important to the punching postie.