PINKY Burton is vowing to win over the York boxing public by bringing title after title back to the city.

The York-born light-heavyweight is hardly known in the area, having ventured between York and Scotland, the home of his mother, as a youngster.

But the 23-year-old, who has been living in Carlton of late and plans to return to the place of his birth before the end of the year, is determined to set the record straight over the next 12 months.

Already in the pipeline are three title fights starting from September, with Burton ready to set the local boxing scene alight.

The super-confident switch-hitter, who is comfortable in either orthodox or southpaw styles, is already eyeing up a crack at the British Masters crown against either York favourite Jamie Warters or Sheffielder Mark Brooks in September, although there is the offer of the Central Area and potentially a shot at the Intercontinental belt in the offing.

Burton, who is managed by Scot Tommy Gilmour and trained in Leeds by Terry O'Neill, believes he will go all the way and capture a world title.

However, Burton, who used to train in Sheffield with Brendan Ingle, believes his dangerous style and aggressive sparring has put off would-be opponents.

He told the Evening Press: "I will be a world champion. I've got one of three titles to fight for, with the Area, the British Masters and even a chance of the Intercontinental, all in September.

"The Intercontinental is the one that I want, but I think I am likely to have to go for the Area or Masters first.

"I want to fight out of York and win titles to bring back to the city, I want people in York to know that.

"I had ten amateur fights and won the Novice Amateur Boxing Association title, but I didn't hang around in the amateurs long as no-one would fight me. It is similar to now.

"I can't get people to fight me or even spar against me. I just refuse to get hit, whereas my punches land on target. What can they learn from that? People have seen me do it and now don't want to fight.

"People think I'm being cocky, but if you are not 110 per cent confident about winning and fighting, then there is no point getting in the ring. This is just the way I am, it is not that I don't respect my opponents because I respect everyone I fight."

Burton currently has a 5-1 record, with his only defeat coming in a controversial points reverse on his debut against Welshman Nathan King in Cardiff.

Since then Burton has won all five of his fights, including his points decision over Ovill McKenzie - a victory that saw him battle through seven rounds with a broken foot after suffering a bad twist in the first round.

Burton, who is also a part-time model, is keen to step into the ring against either of the city's best-known current fighters, in Warters and former Hard 'N' Fast stable star Denzil Browne.

"I used to train in Sheffield with Jamie and he wouldn't spar with me, he was intimidated by what I could do," added Burton. "Warters wouldn't fight me, but if he does, let's hope he reads the paper and we will get it on.

"Denzil, on the other hand, has kept saying that he wants to fight me in his comeback fight, but he is about ten years too late for that."

Updated: 10:52 Saturday, July 26, 2003