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IT is not the first time Jamie Moore has made an assault on a major title - but it could be the last.

Injury and ill fortune have become as synonymous with the Walkden light-middleweight's career as his explosive fighting style.

The 29-year-old was due to take on European champion Zaurbek Baysangurov in December as he looked to prove he was capable of challenging at the top level.

But the Ukranian was forced to pull out after fracturing his cheekbone in training and, following his latest setback, the former British title holder immediately went under the surgeon's knife in a second attempt to resolve a long-standing shoulder problem.

Now, free of injury and hungry to put a frustrating last year behind him in which he only fought twice, Moore will return to the ring on the undercard of Ricky Hatton's homecoming clash with Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 24.

And he knows it's now or never if he is to realise his dream of a world-title shot.

"At this stage of my career I can't afford any more hiccups," said the hard-hitting southpaw, who will take on an as yet unnamed opponent in an international eight-round contest in his first outing since October.

"I'm still very ambitious and I want to win a world title, but this is my last opportunity and I've got to take it."

He added: "I need to make sure I'm 100 per cent. I've been out of the ring for a long time and I've had a major operation, so I'll need a couple of warm-up fights. Then I'll be ready for a shot at the European title."

Moore, below, plans to fight again in July in Dublin, before hoping to challenge the unbeaten Baysangurov in October.

Though understandably disappointed the first contest had to be cancelled, Moore, still the No1 contender for the European crown, is delighted it gave him the opportunity to finally clear up his injury problems.

"The fight was called off on the Friday and I had the operation the following Tuesday - the second one on the same shoulder," he explained.

"The first time they thought the problem was some bone waste which needed removing, which they did, but the real problem was a tear in the joint and they missed that, so the operation was a waste of time.

"After the first operation it was still sore but they said it would be, so I didn't think anything of it. But after a while I realised there was still something wrong, so I knew I need it sorting once and for all.

"It's so frustrating because it has set me back 18 months - my career has just stood still - but now it's fine. In fact, it feels weird actually being able to punch without any pain because I've had the problem so long."

But one thing Moore will not be losing any sleep over his British title after he was forced to vacate the belt last year.

"I'm well past that now," he said.

1:54am Friday 2nd May 2008

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