Tyrone Nurse is confident he can bounce back from the defeat which cost him his position as mandatory British light-welterweight title challenger, writes Luqman Liaqat.
The Huddersfield 24-year-old was beaten for only the second time as a professional in his Commonwealth title clash with Derby’s Dave Ryan in Leeds earlier this month.
Scotland’s Willie Limond is the reigning British champion at 10st, and national boxing chiefs have now handed the mandatory challenger slot to unbeaten Welshman Chris Jenkins.
But Nurse believes his battling performance against Ryan, who won on points over 12 rounds, has gone a long way towards silencing his critics.
“I don’t think the loss will set me back too far as it was a very close and competitive fight,” he said. “I’ve not watched it back yet, but by all accounts it was very entertaining.
“I can’t dwell on this for too long, I’ve lost in the past (to Adil Anwar in the February 2012 Prizefighter tournament) and improved from it, so I just need to do the same.
“The fighting courage, toughness and determination I showed is evident of my character and maintaining the good work through 12 rounds is not what people expected from me.”
Father and trainer Chris Aston remains confident Nurse can cut it with the best in the country, and fancies a rematch with Ryan, who is aged 31 and 16-8.
He said: “It was a cracking fight and if we get the chance to face him again, we will go and put the record books straight.
“I’m not saying Tyrone is the best in Britain, but he can be. For that to happen we have to beat everybody and I am confident we can. Tyrone is cream, and cream rises to the top.”
Nurse’s next move will be confirmed over the next few weeks, with promoters Matchroom likely to find him a slot on a forthcoming show.
Limond could move up to European title level, setting up a possible Nurse versus Jenkins contest for the British belt.
“Jenkins was a good amateur and professionally he is 15-0,” added Aston. “Maybe this bout was made to be for a title and if it is proposed, we will be jumping at the chance.
“There are a number of possibilities at this stage, but things should become clearer in the coming weeks.”
