DARREN Tetley will go back to basics when he steps into the ring in Bradford tomorrow.

The former WBO European champion from Holme Wood returns for his first action in seven months.

But he is not planning to blow the cobwebs away by coming out swinging.

Tetley wants to deliver an educated display to show he is putting his time in the gym to good use.

He said: “It’s not about looking for a knock-out with one big shot.

“We’ve been working on the absolute basics in the gym, really stripping it back to the point of learning how to throw a jab correctly again.

“This is more about looking good but also people thinking afterwards, ‘you can see he’s been working on that’.

“I want people to notice improvements. I want to show I can box, rather than going in for a tear-up.

“It’s pointless doing all the work in the gym for months before and then ignore all of it when you get into the fight.”

The unbeaten welterweight faces Bolton journeyman Chris Jenkinson over six rounds at the Bradford Hotel, where he won his last fight in March. Tetley is aiming to deliver a far tighter performance this time.

He added: “Yeah, I got the stoppage in my last performance in Bradford but I was forcing it.

“I said to my wife the week before that I was going to stop him. I went in with that angry mentality and just looked rubbish doing it, to be honest.

“This time, I want to keep a poker face all the way through and really work on my jab, because I believe that’s one of my best shots.”

The gap between fights has been a testing period for Tetley with personal issues pushing his career to one side. But now he is ready for a fresh start.

“I was going through some stuff in May and June that was hard,” he admitted. “I didn’t even want to hear the word boxing at that time let alone be fighting again.

“But it’s good to be finally back in the routine and back in fight week. It’s a big one for me in that sense.

“I’m fine now but I’ve got to make sure my head’s right. Once that bell sounds, it’s the chance to put everything else behind me.

“To fight again in Bradford is massive. I’m sure people want big fights and bigger venues but I can only go where I’m told and fight whoever’s there.

“I’m quite looking forward to the new leisure centre opening and hopefully we can get some shows there.”