ALEX Matvienko is back on the title trail after bouncing back from the first defeat of his professional fight career.

The Bolton light-middleweight had a comfortable points victory over David Kirk of Ashton-in-Makerfield in a four-round contest at Blackpool Tower and is now aiming for a re-match against the man who put the only blot on his record. Matvienko suffered his first defeat in 14 pro fights when he lost narrowly on points to Sheffield’s Lee Edwards in a bruising encounter at Wigan in September when the pair fought for the vacant British Masters title.

The 30-year-old, nicknamed ‘The One Man Riot’, felt hard done by on that occasion but was in more bullish mood after dealing with Kirk’s southpaw style.

“I found the four rounds relatively easy after going 10 the last time,” he said. “But he was a tricky southpaw and I haven’t come up against a southpaw since the amateurs.

“But after the first round I was catching him with some great uppercuts and body shots.”

Matvienko, who was on course for a tilt at Ryan Rhodes’ British light-middleweight title before losing to Edwards, believes he may need one more bout before getting back into the ring with his Sheffield rival.

“I’m definitely looking for a re-match,” he said. “But more importantly I want to get back up there fighting for titles again.”