Simon O'Donnell (green shorts)

Simon O’Donnell is determined to make up for lost time after finally ending a ring absence of almost three years last weekend.

The Notting Hill middleweight had been inactive since October 2008 due to family issues and injury problems, but made his comeback with a four-round victory over Sergejs Savrinovics at York Hall on Saturday.

Now the 25-year-old, who took his professional record to nine wins from 10 bouts, is keen to increase that tally quickly, and has targeted a national title fight by the beginning of 2012.

A likely option for Galway-born O’Donnell, who has fought under the nickname of ‘Slick Fightin’ Irish’ on both sides of the Atlantic, would be a challenge for Ireland’s middleweight crown.

“I’m really happy to be back and I want to get back in the ring as soon as possible,” O’Donnell told the Times. “I was ready for six rounds, but it changed at the last minute and that’s boxing, it’s never straightforward.

“Maybe I rushed it a little bit and over-committed some of my punches, but it was an easy win and the turnout was good. A lot of people came to see it and I showed them a little bit of the stuff I’ve got.

“I enjoyed it and I’d fight again next week if I could, but realistically in the next couple of months. There may be a chance of fighting in Atlantic City at the end of July.

“With a few more fights under my belt, I’m sure it’ll all come together. I’m hoping that, by the end of the year or maybe early next year, I’ll be fighting for the Irish middleweight title.

“Next time it’ll be six rounds, then six again, then I’ll be looking to step up to eight rounds and start knocking people off and fighting for titles. I’m in it for the long run.”

O’Donnell looked comfortable throughout in his clash with Savrinovics, the final bout of the Hard Knocks bill promoted by Spencer Fearon, and won all four rounds on the referee’s scorecard.

The former Dale Youth ABC star soon began working his jab and landing a series of solid lefts to the body before rocking Savrinovics with a big right in the third round.

It came as little surprise when referee Grant Morris scored the contest 40-36 in favour of O’Donnell, who never looked in difficulty against the Latvian journeyman.

Since turning pro in 2006, O’Donnell has spent a lot of his time based in Philadelphia, and he intends to continue that arrangement, while also training with Jim McDonnell in London.

“I’ve got a great trainer and I’m putting in the work,” O’Donnell added. “In America, they’re very skilful and technical, but they’re a bit lacking on the physical side of it.

“So I get the best of both worlds, doing physical stuff with Jim McDonnell and gaining mental strength, then in America I learn some different moves and drills, and some of the fancy footwork.

“The proof is in the pudding – Jim has done it throughout his career and what he tells you sinks in because I know he’s done it, he’s not someone reading it out of a book.”

Meanwhile, former Dale Youth ABC light-middleweight Steve O’Meara felt his failure to secure a knockout against AA Lowe on Saturday may have been a blessing in disguise.

O’Meara seemed set for a stoppage after dominating the opening round of eight at York Hall, but eventually had to settle for an 80-74 points victory.

But O’Meara, who completed eight rounds for the first time, believes the experience will stand him in good stead as he eyes a Southern Area title shot later this year.

“In the gym, if you told me I was sparring 10 rounds I wouldn’t think twice, but on the night and with the adrenalin going, I was a bit nervous about doing eight,” O’Meara admitted.

“After the first round I thought I was going to have an early night, but when it got to four I didn’t want to get too tired because he was quite strong and durable.

“There’s word of getting a Southern Area title fight in September and possibly making that an eliminator for the British title, so it was important that I got eight rounds.

“To step up to 10 rounds from six would be a big ask, so getting in those eight probably did me good – it wouldn’t have done me any favours if it had finished early.”