JORVIK VIKING Jamie Warters today described his heart-break at seeing his long-awaited return to the ring put back by injury.

The 27-year-old had eyed Thursday's top-of-the-bill clash at Willerby Manor, near Hull, as the first step on the road to the British title.

However, these plans have been put on hold - and the entire bill of fights cancelled - after Warters, who is trained by Steve Pollard, damaged his left wrist during a sparring session.

"The fight has been put back a few weeks after I injured my hand sparring," he told the Evening Press. "It is one of the bones in my wrist, while I have also got a niggling neck injury.

"I've been sparring really hard over the last six weeks, so it is really disappointing to have to put things on hold.

"I will still do some training, such as running, but it is heart-breaking not to be fighting on Thursday as I was really looking forward to getting back in to the ring.

"I've nearly 100 rounds of sparring and then in one of the last ones I go and do this.

"I'm one of those people who won't get into the ring unless I'm 100 per cent. This is one of the hardest games in the world and there is so much at stake.

"We are looking at going for the British title so everything has got to be spot on. I've been told not to spar for a couple of weeks now."

No new date has been set for Warters' comeback, but it is hoped for him to be back within a month.

Updated: 12:14 Monday, April 22, 2002