Clinton McKenzie has warned Croydon boxer Chas Symonds he has just one chance left after the welterweight went AWOL again.

Symonds only returned to training last month for the first time since losing his British Southern Area title to Ross Minter in April 2005 - pledging to take the welterweight division by storm.

However, it appears he has had a change of heart, with his trainer McKenzie, the former British and European champion, revealing he had not seen or heard from him for more than a week.

"He was back a few weeks ago but has disappeared again," said McKenzie.

"I haven't seen him in the gym or been able to contact him.

"I got him back in the gym and he was getting back into it, but now he has gone off again.

"I think he could have a hell of a future in British boxing but it is a shame to see a young lad like that go to pieces.

"I know he wants to get his act together because he has a baby on the way."

McKenzie admitted he is losing patience with the Croydon-born 25-year-old.

"I will give him one last chance if he comes back and gets his head down," he said.

"He was on his way to getting back in shape and I was hoping to get him back in the ring for the spring.

"But, unless he comes back soon, it won't end up being until next year."

Symonds, who changed his ring name from Bomber to Pretty Boy last month, had an impressive record before his defeat by Minter, having won 12 bouts in a row, four by knockout.

However, he says he only had two weeks to prepare for the fight against Minter, son of British legend Alan, who beat him in the third round.

The scaffolder said his main reason for returning to the ring after the two-and-a-half year absence was his unborn child.

Speaking in January, he said: "The reason I am coming back is for myself, my girlfriend and my unborn baby.

"I want my baby to be proud of her dad and I am determined to have the British title before she is two years old.

"It isn't just me I have to think about now - I have got a family."

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