SALE boxer Sam Hyde wants a rematch with Richard Riakporhe later this year.

The cruiserweight, who is trained by renowned coach Joe Gallagher at Amir Khan's gym in Bolton, suffered the only defeat of his professional career so far against Londoner Riakporhe at the Manchester Arena last November.

The bout was stopped when Hyde's corner threw in the towel in the eighth round after 25-year-old Hyde suffered a horrific injury to his left eye during the fight.

Up to then he had been on top and now, after a straightforward 14th professional win from 16 outings last month, against Slovakian Jozef Jurko at London's O2 Arena, Hyde wants to set the record straight and step into the ring with Riakporhe again.

Hyde told The Messenger: "I think a rematch with Richard will happen – I just have to be patient.

"I think he wants it to happen too, but at the minute we are both pencilled in to fight in July so it may have to be later in the year if it happens.

"I hope it does because I felt I was winning until the injury."

After an extended spell out while that left eye socket healed, Hyde says he felt sharp last month in London and was happy with the first-round stoppage against Jurko.

He said: "After five months out it was so good to be back.

"Being on a big bill again – at the O2 – raised my profile again and hopefully that will lead to more big fights like the Riakporhe rematch.

"I felt good in the ring at the O2 and am looking to be back in action in July, maybe in Manchester, but nothing is confirmed yet.

"I am already back into training after a short rest and I am looking to make up for lost time.

"I had a frustrating year with injuries last year and there were a lot of pull-outs as well.

"But I am feeling fit and ready for what comes next."