NEWPORT’S former Welsh and British Masters middleweight champion Lee Churcher will be back in action in Liverpool later this month as he targets more titles.

The 34-year-old, who was jailed for four years in 2013 after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine, won his four-round comeback fight against veteran Matt Scriven in Nottingham in March.

And Churcher is stepping up his return to the ring just over three years after he beat Barrie Jones in Newport to win the Welsh middleweight title in May 2012.

He takes on an as yet unnamed opponent over six rounds at Liverpool Central Hall on May 23, again boxing under the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC).

After being jailed in January 2013 he served 21 months of a four-year sentence before release in September 2014.

But the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) won’t re-license Churcher until his probation period of two years is over.

“I’ve not got an opponent yet but this will be a fight to help me get up the rankings and hopefully get a title bout soon,” said Churcher.

“There is the possibility of a title fight in July but I’m hoping to have a fight back home in Newport in October with a title on the line.

“I’ve got 50 people travelling to Liverpool to see me this month but it would be nice to be fighting back in Newport again.”

The MBC was established in 2011 with former world champion Steve Collins as its president and has had a strained relationship with the BBBofC over the legitimacy of alternatively sanctioned shows on British soil.

“The Malta Board have been really helpful and, if anything, it’s been a blessing working with them,” adds Churcher.

“I’m feeling really good and training has been going brilliantly – I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in and I can’t wait to get back in the ring again.”

Tickets for the Liverpool fight are available from Churcher on 07468497362, with a bus leaving Newport at 3pm on May 23.