ROBIN Reid has put aside any suggestions of retirement in the hope of landing an elusive British title and then a Lonsdale belt.

Should he win his first ever national belt, the veteran Runcornian believes he could yet end up challenging for another world title - and even get the rematch with Joe Calzaghe he has always craved.

Calzaghe is now feted as one of boxing's golden boys but the fight Reid lost to the Welsh superstar on a split verdict has always rankled with the now 36-year-old boxer from Sutton Park.

'In my eyes I had him beaten and I just didn't get the decision,' said Reid.

Reid has held three versions of the world super-middleweight championships and fought for the other two.

But he has never held a British title - largely because of the way his career took off. He turned professional in 1993, a year after winning bronze at the Barcelona Olympics.

He came from virtual obscurity to within another three years claim the World Boxing Council belt with a stunning seventh-round stoppage of Vincenzo Nardiello in the holder's native Italy.

But Reid hopes that national title will soon be his - 'Nottingham Cobra' Carl Froch having vacated his Commonwealth belt to concentrate on a domestic showdown with 'Reap-erman' Reid.

Reid, a professional of 14 years, made a successful comeback in March with victory over Jesse Brinkley in the 'Contender' show.

It was his first appearance since a damaging loss to IBF champion Jeff Lacy in 2005 and the opener of a three-fight deal with Frank Warren.

Reid's lengthy absence, however, was because of a dispute with his previous promoter, rather than any lack of desire to continue his career.

He said: 'There is plenty left in the tank - certainly enough to win the British title.

'I never won a British title even as an amateur. Because I was always fighting for my country, I never got the chance.

'As a professional, the normal route is the British, Europeans and then world but I went straight to the WBC title, so I have never won a national title and I would love to win a Lonsdale belt.

'Winning a British title would put you in the top 10 in the list of most world governing bodies and with going back with Frank Warren, there could yet be a rematch with Joe Calza ghe.'

The contest with Froch has been described as imminent but the exact timing is unclear as the East Midlander is recovering from knee surgery.

But whenever - and wherever - the fight takes place, Reid believes he will have the champion's measure.

Reid said: 'Froch is good but he is so sure of himself. That's how some fighters are.

'Apart from Brian Magee, he hasn't really fought anyone of my experience.'

The gap between Reid's last two fights has been just about typical of his stop-start career.

He has switched from one promoter to the next in the hope of more regular fights.

But his comparative inactivity could yet benefit him in his boxing twilight as burnout is not an issue.

The one constant in the Runcorn man's paid career has been his association with Manchester trainer Brian Hughes.

'I've been with Brian since I was 23, when I turned pro and I am going to see my career out with him,' said Reid.

'We've got it wrong a couple of times but have gone back to the drawing board and got it right.

'Years ago, I had a lot of offers from other coaches. But my loyalty has always been with Brian.

'I'm the boxer and he's the coach but we're mates as well and have a good rapport. That's important to me.'