YORK fighter Michael Fafara is eyeing a £10,000 prize in a new boxing tournament which will see him pitted against a former British and Commonwealth title challenger.

The 23-year-old Fafara is one of eight boxers selected to compete in next month’s Cash Fighter tournament at Leicester Arena, with the winner of three three-round fights claiming the prize money.

The tournament takes place on Friday, March 23 and is similar to the Prizefighter shows that were popular with Sky Sports viewers and launched the career of several fighters.

The organisers had interest from around 80 hopefuls after advertising for fighters on social media and Fafara was one of the octet chosen for the semi-professional competition.

Fafara, who is trained by Stephen Melton at the TMS Gym in York, said: “I’m really looking forward to it. This is the sort of challenge I want.”

Fafara is one of the least experienced entries of a line-up that also includes Martin Concepcion, a former challenger for the British and Commonwealth super-welterweight titles.

He only started boxing 18 months ago to raise funds for the Baby Care Unit at York Hospital, who had cared for his daughter, Emmie, when she was ill.

Fafara said: “I wanted to give something back to say thank you, so agreed to have a charity fight to raise some money.

“I won against one of the toughest lads in the show, really enjoyed it and decided to stick with it.”

And he has made rapid progress. He has won 12 of his 13 fights and, last November, had a win over Mark Holmes for the EBF British middleweight title.

Fafara, who claimed victory that time with a strong start and finish, could meet Holmes again in Leicester next month, as the Leeds fighter will also feature in the Cash Fighter line-up.

Tickets are available from eventbrite.co.uk/e/cash-fighter-tickets-42709825237