STOURBRIDGE cruiserweight Robert Norton is back to square one in his bid to defend his British title.

Norton, who hasn't been in the ring since his last title defence against David Dolan in January 2010, had been ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control to defend the crown against the English champion, Terry Dunstan.

A deadline for purse bids for that fight was set for last Wednesday but not a single offer to stage the right was received by the Board.

Now they have to come up with another opponent for Norton to face.

The fact that the proposed clash with Dunstan fell through was no surprise as it was widely expected that Sky television were not interested in screening the contest. Without TV backing there was no chance of the fight taking place.

It all adds up to more frustration for Norton who is now unlikely to get back into the ring until the autumn.

As to who he will fight when he does finally return - that is in the hands of the Board.

Shane McPhilbin, Leon Williams, Jon-Lewis Dickinson, Rhys Davies and Matt Askin have all been mentioned as potential opponents for 39-year-old Norton.

He certainly won't be hanging up his gloves as one more successful defence will enable him top join the elite band of fighters to win a Lonsdale Belt outright.