Tommy Coyle back after 10 months out looking for big-name lightweight fights
Thursday 5 May 2016 13:47, UK
Tommy Coyle is on the hunt for big-name fights ahead of his first return to the ring since losing to Luke Campbell.
The Hull lightweight is on the undercard of Anthony Crolla's WBA world title defence against Ismael Barroso, in Manchester on Saturday night.
Coyle (21-3-KO10) has not boxed since losing to local rival Campbell last August and although he returns with a six-round bout against Reynaldo Mora (7-12-1-KO4), is already looking to take on Britain's best lightweights.
"I'm in a good place," he told Sky Sports. "I am anxious and nervous about this fight because it's been a while, but I am very excited about getting back in because there are still massive fights out there.
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"I want this six-rounder then feed me to the wolves if you like. There's nobody out there I won't fight - or can't beat.
"If Barosso pulls out of the Crolla fight, chuck me straight in there, lets go. If Ricky Burns wins his third world title, I have no problem moving up and fighting for his world title, all day long.
I want to fight (Sean) 'Masher' Dodd, Scotty Cardle, people like that. I think I've got the beating of those people and I'd love to fight Crolla, but he is in different place right now.
"I want to fight (Sean) 'Masher' Dodd, Scotty Cardle, people like that. I think I've got the beating of those people and I'd love to fight Crolla, but he is in different place right now.
"Even a rematch with Derry Mathews, who knows? There are so many good fights out there and it's exciting. But I am far from done."
Coyle has become a father since the Campbell defeat and that, as well as a torn ligament, have kept him out of the ring longer than expected.
He admits he had to go through some dark times immediately after the loss, but the time away has seen him change his approach and promises there will be a new-look 'Boom-Boom' on his return.
"I learned so much losing that Campbell fight," he added.
"The bottom line is I lost but I never expected to get where I got to and it was always getting my fight with Luke Campbell and when it came, I'd already won - the fight I wanted, in Hull, in front of 15,000 people - when I really should've just been thinking 'lets go and beat Luke Campbell'.
"Let's be honest, I put him on a pedestal and thought he was unbeatable but Yvan Mendy proved that theory was wrong.
"I've got to realise when I look back at my amateur career I also boxed for England, I won two ABA titles. I am a better fighter than I often give myself credit for.
"So now I have started to believe in myself and remind myself I was a good amateur and I am good boxer when I go into fights, rather than just having a fight or a tear-up.
"I am using my boxing skills first. You're going to see a more experienced fighter. I can't be in dull fights, it's not in my make-up but you will see a more rounded fighter. I will use my skills a hell of a lot more."
