NEWBRIDGE boxer Bradley Pryce admits he is at a career crossroads but is vowing to fight on.

The former light middleweight turned welterweight suffered huge disappointment on Saturday night when beaten by Colin Lynes on points in an eight-rounder (78-77), a defeat that damages his ambition of fighting for a British title.

It was all the more frustrating as it was only injury that prevented Pryce from having a crack at the British crown last month against Sam Webb.

But he’s now going back to the drawing board and admits time is running out to re-establish himself as a contender rather than a journeyman.

Losses like Saturday don’t tend to impress promoters and Pryce is only too aware of how important it is to get back on track, particularly as trainer Gary Lockett is already receiving offers for him to fight at short notice in ‘come to lose’ contests.

“I understand that my hopes of challenging for the British title and moving on from there are out of the window now,” said Pryce.

“I have to get back to winning ways and hopefully we can get a rematch with Lynes for May, that’s the plan I believe.

“I don’t feel too bad, I am not beaten up, but I have no complaints with the verdict.

“I had a change at the last minute from the fight being at light middleweight and then at welterweight and it’s the same old story with me.

“I had to lose too much weight too quickly and by the time I got to the ring I had nothing left. My legs felt weak and I was running on empty, it was the worst of Bradley Pryce.”

Pryce is confident he can come back despite the setback, though he’s unsure as to which weight he will return to.

“I can’t figure out if I am more natural as a welterweight or light middleweight, I guess it depends on what fights are out there,” he said.

“The biggest thing is trying to get back to a level where I am regularly fighting 12-rounders. I am a 12-round fighter, that’s what suits me.”

Trainer Gary Lockett is hopeful of getting Pryce back in the ring sooner rather than later, possibly in conjunction with stablemate Gavin Rees’ return following nose surgery.

Lightweight Rees vacated the British title after beating John Watson but now could be in line to meet Anthony Crolla, who took the British title on Saturday.

Rees is also mandatory challenger for John Murray’s European crown and Lockett is happy to wait and see which strap his charge will contend for.

“Gavin is in a strong position,” said Lockett. “He’s mandatory challenger for the European title, though I expect John Murray to possibly vacate that, but he’s also got an agreement in place to fight Crolla after his excellent win.”

“It would be a privilege to fight Gavin Rees,” Crolla said.

“He’s a former world champion. It’s great to be linked with those types of names.

“Whoever it is, I’m British champion now and I’ve probably got a big bull’s eye on my chest. I’m sure I’ll have all-comers after me.”

It has been mooted that Rees v Crolla could be the main undercard fight for Amir Khan’s Manchester homecoming on April 16, the pay-per-view show likely to feature Manchester natives, such as Crolla.