Frustrations continue to pile up for Brentwood cruiserweight Garry Delaney.

He has been left kicking his heels again after last week's contest at the Caf Royal, London turned out to be a non-event, the contest being cancelled just hours beforehand after three potential opponents suddenly became unavailable.

The 30-year-old Southern Area champion has the promise of a world title contest later this year, but he needs to get rid of the ring rust he has accumulated since his last outing in October when he beat Havering-atte-Bower's Dominic Negus to claim his title.

A clash, scheduled for January 13, against WBU champion Sebastian Rothman in New York was postponed at short notice, although it was hoped it could be rescheduled for York Hall, Bethnal Green later this year.

Now he has to wait until Saturday, March 10 for a taste of action, this time against Bruce Scott for the British and Commonwealth title.

"I'm quietly confident I can beat Bruce," said Delaney this week. "I know he's tough, but his punch resistance seems to have gone. That said, he can still get up off the floor and come back strongly.

"It was not until Wednesday afternoon that my trainer Martin Bowers gave me the news that I would not be fighting at the Caf Royal," he said.

"I was gutted at the time, but I've got to put the frustrations of the last few weeks behind me and get on with it - that's boxing.

"The president of the WBU has told me I could be fighting WBU champion Sebastian Rothman for his title in April, and the powers that be at Sports Network are also trying to get me in against Johnny Nelson to challenge for his WBO title."

Delaney has won 27 of his 31 contests, drawn one and lost four.

<LI. Frustrating times: Garry Delaney, left, in action against Darron Griffiths, is anxious to get back in the ring as soon as possible.

Mark still confident despite setback

Delaney's brother Mark, 29, now fighting as a light heavyweight, is back in training at The Peacock Gym, Canning Town, and could face Butch Leslie next month for the Southern Area title.

"Nothing's definite yet," he said, "but I'm really keen to get another fight under my belt." That keenness stems from the fact that, last time out, East Hammer Delaney suffered a surprise first round defeat at the hands of Neil Simpson in a British title clash.

There were, however, mitigating circumstances for what turned out to be only his third professional defeat from a 31 fight career. "It was all down to television scheduling," he explained.

"I hadn't even got my gloves on when I was told to get ready and into the ring within five minutes - I hadn't even had time to work up a sweat before I got into the ring, so Simpson caught me cold.

"Obviously, I've been down a bit since then, but if I can get another win under my belt, the confidence should soon get back to normal.

"I always said that, if anyone ever beats me in the first round, it should have been Joe Calzaghe (Calzaghe broke Delaney's nose in the first round of their British title clash at the Brentwood Centre, but Delaney bravely carried on until the seventh round until breathing difficulties ended his resistance).

"Calzaghe couldn't stop me in the first round, and I've fought better fighters than Simpson, just a look at my record will prove that. That's why the defeat against him has not knocked my confidence too much.

"If the Leslie fight doesn't come off for some reason, I hope to get in a couple of quick fights to get back up there. After all, I'm still ranked number four in the country."

Still confident: Mark Delaney, seen left, gets down to business against Mark Baker. Delaney remains confident despite his recent British title defeat.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.