Donovan Smillie hopes a change of gym will mean an upturn in his fortunes in 2006.

The Bradford middleweight has returned to the Sheffield base of the Ingles after a spell with close pal Nigel Hardman in Manchester.

And Dominic Ingle will be in the corner when Smillie steps out at York Hall next Friday to face Matthew Thirlwall.

"It does seem a bit strange with a different training regime but I used to come here before," Smillie said. "Nigel is still a good friend of mine but he admitted he couldn't do it anymore after the last fight because the cut worried him."

The cut in question, on his right eyelid, caused referee John Keane to stop his English title defence against Coventry's Steve Bendall.

But last month's controversial defeat may not have cost Smillie any ground in his bid for a crack at the British belt - provided he wins next week.

Manager John Ingle said: "I don't think people were very satisfied with the outcome. I know Bendall saw it as a hollow victory because it didn't really prove anything.

"What upset me most was the ref stopping it in the last ten seconds of the round. You thought he would have let him get back to the corner to see what could have been done before making a decision.

"But it's left unfinished business and we've still got a strong chance of a re-match before anyone is put forward to challenge for the British."

It will be the first time that Smillie has fought at the traditional home of British boxing, although he sampled the atmosphere at ringside when Junior Witter beat Colin Lynes in October.

Bermondsey's Thirlwall has won 11 of his 13 fights but one of his losses was against the unpredictable Jason Collins from Smillie's gym.

Smillie added: "He is one of Mick Hennessy's fighters so I'm not going to take him lightly. He likes to come forward all the time and that will suit me.

"It's my first eight-rounder but the last one was meant to go ten and I'd trained fine for that. My focus is on this one, I'll take my time and I won't rush into anything.

"At the end of the day, my name is out there now. Everybody is interested in me now after the Bendall fight.

"In this game, losing can have a positive effect and everything happens for a reason. I aim to be a lot more active this year and build up a real momentum."

l Junior Witter has vacated the British light-welterweight title. He has been champion since March 2002 and was presented with the Lonsdale belt to keep last year.