South Shields trainer Mal Gates hopes to get Sunderland star Lee Mould back in ring

The Sunderland star was forced to make a last-minute withdrawal from his ring return at Dunston on Friday night because of injury.

His match with Michal Voyka had been due to be his first bout since losing to Adam Little for the vacant English title in Blackpool last summer.

But a stumble on a run ruled the South Shields entertainer out of the Steve Wraith show at the Lancastrian Suite.

And with a Northern Area title fight fast approaching at Darlington on May 13 against Anth Hardy, Gates says it is vital he gets a bout soon.

“We’ll be back, we’ll keep rolling on,” said Gates. “I have spoken to two promoters to try to get him on a show.

“He needs a four or six rounder.”

With Tom Whitfield having been ruled of his Northern Area championship bout with Daniel Cope at Dunston, it meant Gates had just one boxer on the promotion instead of three.

But his lone performer, Paul Gidney, flew the flag admirably.

The bantamweight outpointed Lancashire’s Phil Hervey with what Gates desbcribed as a “faultless” display.

It was only his second pro bout and Gates wants the 20-year-old back in the ring again soon.

“He boxed really well, we gave quite a bit of weight away.

“Paul is an 8st6lb fight but we took this bout at 9st because he’s a strong kid and he can do it.

“I want him straight back out now and try to get more rounds and experience for him.”