KEVIN MITCHELL made a successful return to the ring after almost a year out of action on Friday night with a quick-time triumph and he is now looking forward to a challenge for the WBO world super featherweight belt currently held by Roman Martinez, write

KEVIN MITCHELL made a successful return to the ring after almost a year out of action on Friday night with a quick-time triumph and he is now looking forward to a challenge for the WBO world super featherweight belt currently held by Roman Martinez, writes LEN WHALEY.

British super-featherweight champion Mitchell recorded his 28th straight win, halting Ghanaian Lanquaye Wilson in three rounds on promoter Frank Warren's bill at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

World champion Martinez, who took the crown against Mitchell's stablemate Nicky Cook at Manchester in March, is allowed one voluntary defence before facing his number-one challenger Mitchell.

The British champion has been promised the chance by promoter Warren, who is confident he will win the purse bids and bring the Puerto Rican world titleholder back to Britain for the clash.

On Friday the former West Ham ABA champion took his chance to shake off the ring-rust in his first fight since undergoing a hand operation to cure a long-time knuckle problem.

"It was good to get back with a win. I know am hitting much harder, and I'm already looking forward to the world title chance against Martinez," said Mitchell who is likely to make the first defence of his British title in July.

Making his first appearance since his fifth round success over Colombia's former world-title challenger Walter Estrada, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, last June, Mitchell soon settled as he took early control against Wilson at York Hall.

The former Ghanaian title challenger was soon on the receiving end as rapid-fire attacks found their way through his defences.

Wilson fired back with his own long range swings, but gave Mitchell few problems as the exchanges became more one-sided in the second round.

The British champion was just too quick and too powerful for his gallant rival and referee Dave Parris intervened with the gallant Ghanaian on his feet, but taking punishment in the third round with the stoppage coming after two minutes seven seconds of the round.

Completing a family double on the York Hall bill, younger brother Vinny Mitchell - another member of trainer Paul Cook's successful stable - boxed confidently as he recorded his ninth straight pro victory.

Bright prospect Vinny gave an improved performance as he proved too good for Dewsbury-based Syrian opponent Youssef Al Hamidi, in their four-rounder.

He piled up the points with a steady stream of shots, finding the target on his more experienced opponent, as Al Hamidi showed his durability to stay upright.