Shropshire’s leading boxer Mark Lloyd has suffered a devastating knockout blow after injury ended his hopes of the biggest fight – and payday – of his career.

Lloyd was counting down to a final eliminator for the British welterweight title against Craig Watson on July 16 in Bolton.

But the 34-year-old plumber from Shifnal has been forced to withdraw after damaging a previous eye injury in sparring.

“I suffered an injury to my left eye in my last fight against Alex Spitko which needed stitches,” said Lloyd.

“I was sparring with Dean Harrison on Wednesday and he caught me with a shot, followed through and his elbow accidently caught the same spot as my last cut.

“Immediately there was blood pouring and I knew straight away the Watson fight would be off because I had to be 100 per cent right for that.

“I had to have five stitches and I’ve been really down in the dumps over the last couple of days.

“It would have been my biggest pay-day but it’s not about the money.

“The important thing for me was I had the chance to be involved in a really big fight and I’m gutted to miss out.”

With Lloyd’s previous biggest pay cheque standing at £8,000 for his appearance in Prizefighter, it appears certain he has missed out on a five-figure sum.

But Lloyd hasn’t given up hope of securing another notable bout before the end of the year.

“I’m going to still train hard in the gym and start sparring again when I can,” he added.

“Hopefully I can fight again at the end of August or in Spetember and I’m confident Errol (Johnson, manager) can get another big fight set up for me.”