ADY Lewis's hopes of regaining his British and Commonwealth bantamweight titles will have to wait until the New Year writes PHIL THORP.

The cut the Bury boxer picked up in a clash of heads, that controversially saw him relinquish his belts to Ulsterman Tommy Waite in September, is taking time to heal and next Saturday's scheduled bout against new champion Nicky Booth has been put on hold.

Nottingham's Booth sensationally saw off Waite in the first defence of his titles kiboshing a rematch in Belfast agreed due to the circumstances of Lewis's defeat.

However the British Boxing Board of Control have agreed that Lewis deserves a crack of winning back his coveted belts but will now have to wait until January or February.

"We had to give back word and hold the fight up until the cut heals properly," said Lewis's manager and trainer Jack Doughty.

"The doctor wouldn't sign him off because although the wound has healed up it's still a bit lumpy.

"He was due to have another look at it at the end of this week, but until he gets the all clear he cannot spar."

The Lewis camp believe the cut could have been fixed on the night but once stitched it left a ridge and it may mean the scar will need to be re-opened.

But the cut it isn't stopping Lewis putting in his usual gruelling fitness work running over the hills of Saddleworth.

"We're having to hold him back because he's really putting in a lot of hard work," added Doughty.

"He's breezing through and asking for more and his runs over the tops above Oldham are phenomenal - he can't get enough of it."