DUDLEY’S Darren McDermott has relinquished his English middleweight title as he launches a bid to win the British super-middleweight crown.

The Black Country Bodysnatcher believes he is now better suited to the higher weight and is hoping to challenge for the British title, currently held by Liverpool’s Paul Smith, later in the year.

Macca admitted getting down to the middleweight limit was becoming increasingly tough and having an adverse effect on his performances.

He said: “The last couple of performances I don’t feel have been as sharp.

“It’s nothing to do with my fitness, I feel strong, I just think the strain of making the weight was taking something out of me.

“I’ve never been a small middleweight and at over six foot it’s difficult to shed the final few pounds.

“In my last fight against Danny Butler I put him down in the fifth and probably should have finished it - but something was missing.

“I feel quite comfortable with the extra weight and hopefully it will help me return to form.

“I went to watch Paul Smith against Tony Dodson and I’m pretty confident I could beat him.

“He’s a good fighter and can take a shot but I noticed a few flaws in his technique.”

The 31-year-old’s career has experienced a stop-start couple of years and McDermott suffered an unfortunate defeat to Wayne Elcock in their 2008 British title fight.

He was also beaten by current British champion Darren Barker in a Commonwealth title bout last May, after beating Coventry’s Steve Bendall to take the English crown.

McDermott is eager to put some momentum back into his boxing and should return to the ring next month, though the exact date and location is unconfirmed.

He added: “Once I get back in the ring I am hoping to feature a bit more regularly.

“I’m not sure where I’ll be fighting just yet but it could be in Dudley or Wolverhampton which will be nice for my supporters.”

RIGHT: Darren McDermott is giving up his English middleweight crown and will go for glory in the super-middleweight division.