Preston's Matty Clarkson wants to keep busy after long-awaited return to the ring

Matty Clarkson is hoping to keep busy after making his long-awaited return to the ring.
Matty Clarkson is introduced on his return to the ring on Saturday night.Matty Clarkson is introduced on his return to the ring on Saturday night.
Matty Clarkson is introduced on his return to the ring on Saturday night.

ALSO READ: Jack Catterall and Matty Clarkson win on big Preston Guild Hall fight nightThe Preston light-heavyweight fought for the first time since November 2014 when he picked up a four-round points win over Dmitrij Kalinovskij at the Guild Hall on Saturday night.

The former Central Area champion, 13-3-2, now knows he needs to remain active in a bid to work his way back up the domestic rankings.

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“We’re going to sit down now and look at a plan moving forwards,” said Clarkson, trained by show promoter Johnney Roye at MTK Manchester in Oyston Mill.

Matty Clarkson is introduced on his return to the ring on Saturday night.Matty Clarkson is introduced on his return to the ring on Saturday night.
Matty Clarkson is introduced on his return to the ring on Saturday night.

“I need to keep busy to properly get that ring rust off and build some momentum.

“I want to be out before the end of the season again and then try and get another couple in when the season starts again, September and then maybe November or something like that.

“That would be three before the end of the calendar year and then in 2019 I’ll kick on and see what I can do.

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“I’ll see what options come up and what fights make sense financially and things like that.”

Clarkson with trainer Johnney Roye at the Guild Hall.Clarkson with trainer Johnney Roye at the Guild Hall.
Clarkson with trainer Johnney Roye at the Guild Hall.

Clarkson was the first to admit it wasn’t a vintage contest to watch, the fight broadcast live as part of BoxNation’s coverage of Roye’s bumper bill.

“It was good to get in, get it done and get it out of the way,” he said.

“Now I can move forward. Three-and-a-half years out of the ring is a long time.

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“There was a lot of ring rust, more than I expected to be honest.

Matty Clarkson is introduced on his return to the ring on Saturday night.Matty Clarkson is introduced on his return to the ring on Saturday night.
Matty Clarkson is introduced on his return to the ring on Saturday night.

“But it’s difficult to look good against lads like that. He’s a well-rounded journeyman to be honest.

“He doesn’t do a great deal and lays back heavily on his back foot.

“I was getting into it in the third and then I felt better again in the fourth. It was just about getting that ring rust off, it’s been a while coming.”

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More than anything Clarkson was delighted to make his comeback on home soil.

Clarkson with trainer Johnney Roye at the Guild Hall.Clarkson with trainer Johnney Roye at the Guild Hall.
Clarkson with trainer Johnney Roye at the Guild Hall.

“It was nice to return how I did,” said the 31-year-old.

“I live about three minutes drive from the Guild Hall, it’s my hometown.

“It was good to be back. I said to Johnney it was like a half-debut.

“Those nerves don’t go away. I felt alright all week but I’ve always been the same. I feel okay up until about two hours before and then I get quite nervous.

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“I don’t think it matters what level of opposition you’re fighting.

“Sometimes, no disrespect at all, but fighting a poorer opponent makes it harder because you’re expected to look good.

“If you don’t you beat yourself up a bit.

“I dread to think what’s been said on social media giving me stick, it wasn’t the best performance!

“But you are ticking boxes and that is one out of the way.”

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