NEWARKโ€™S Commonwealth super-lightweight champion Nina Bradley struggled to cope with the first loss of her professional career, a 10th round stoppage loss to Terri Harper in March. โ€œI was down and shut myself away, even though there was no shame in losing the way I did,โ€ Bradley tells Boxing News. โ€œIโ€™m proud of what Iโ€™ve achieved in boxing. I wasnโ€™t going to come back, Iโ€™ve got a little boy to think about, but weโ€™ve got big reasons to return now.โ€

The 31-year-old is scheduled to return at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre on September 21 on the Carl Greaves Promotions โ€˜The Rising Starsโ€™ show. Bradley will dedicate her comeback to her niece, Grace Brocklesby, who passed away in tragic circumstances earlier this year.

โ€œGrace had battled with anorexia and depression for the last few years of her life,โ€ Bradley explains. โ€œEven though it appeared that she was doing a lot better prior to the accident in June. I feel like I let her down a little bit, as I shut myself away after losing to Terri and didnโ€™t see much of her.

โ€œI wish sheโ€™d known how loved she was by us all. This is what we need to bring light to, people can have a smile on their face, but they can be going through the hardest time of their life and thatโ€™s my reason for coming back into the ring. If people need to talk, Iโ€™m here. Please get in touch with me. Iโ€™ll be all ears and I donโ€™t think thereโ€™s enough of it.โ€

Nina also explained how her sister and Graceโ€™s mum, Thea, is trying to raise ยฃ15,000 so they can build a lasting tribute.

โ€œWeโ€™re raising money to fund a memorial garden for all her family and friends to visit and share the communal love for Grace. We want to it to be a resting place that we can enjoy, that has been specially designed by her family and friends. We also want it to be a place that others who have been suffering with mental health problems can go to, reflect and enjoy the natural beauty.โ€

Terri Harper has been a source of unexpected support for Nina, her old boxing rival. โ€œMe and Terri are friends,โ€ Bradley says. โ€œSheโ€™s been an absolute angel. Sheโ€™s always in touch, asking if I need anything. Telling me when Iโ€™m in camp to do some training with her. There was never any bad blood there, even when we fought. She beat me fair and square. Sheโ€™s a better boxer. I was there for her [IBO] title fight cheering her on, I wouldnโ€™t have missed it for the world.โ€

Fans will also see a new kit design and entrance music for Ninaโ€™s comeback. โ€œI loved my old kit but Iโ€™ll be getting that framed and up on the wall somewhere. My new kit will have Grace on the back with some angel wings. Iโ€™ll be coming out to Amazing Grace with a twist, I think. Weโ€™re not sure how weโ€™re going to do it though.

โ€œBut every time I walk out, thatโ€™s what Iโ€™m walking out for. Sheโ€™s given me the fight to come back and to โ€˜stop moping aboutโ€™ because I lost one fight. Sometimes I struggle in the morning or sleep at night. Could I have done more to help her? Iโ€™ve got to carry on, but my way to carry on is to fight,โ€ Bradley said.

Ninaโ€™s manager, promoter and trainer Carl Greaves gets a special mention, โ€œI canโ€™t thank Carl enough for all his support. Iโ€™ve got the fire back in the belly and heโ€™s got me focused on what I need to do moving forward,โ€ she added.

While not wishing to look too far ahead beyond Grantham, Nina is keen to be positive when looking forward.

โ€œWeโ€™re looking at defending my Commonwealth title. I believe there are a couple of England-based potential challengers who would like to fight me for that. Iโ€™ve got a warm-up fight first, Iโ€™ll see how I feel at the weight and push on from there. Hopefully with the right backing Iโ€™d like to finish with a world title fight. Win or lose Iโ€™ll be hanging my gloves up and doing it properly this time,โ€ she said.

For further information on, or to make a donation to the Grace Memorial Garden, please go to www.gofundme.com/f/grace-memorial-garden