TITLE hunter Jamie Warters wants to reward his loyal York following by putting on a master-class show at the Barbican.

Warters returns to the ring on April 17 at Hull's KC Stadium, a little under two weeks after dispatching of the durable Darren Ashton on points at Willerby Manor.

Now, the Jorvik Warrior, who has set his sights on becoming the British champion in the crusierweight class, wants a chance to fight on his own manor.

Warters' connection with Hull-based Steve Pollard, the man who guided Scarborough's Paul Ingle to two featherweight world titles, has meant all his fights have been or are planned for Humberside.

But his last two bouts - at Hull City Hall and Willerby Manor - have been supported by a strong, vocal following from York showing that he has the city's backing. His entrance to the ring on Thursday was met by a deafening noise of applause, whistle-blowing, chanting and hooters going off.

"I'm chuffed that so many came from York," Warters told the Evening Press after his victory over Ashton. "It was one hell of a turnout and that atmosphere gives you an adrenaline buzz - you can feel it when you are boxing.

"My next fight is at the KC Stadium and that is a big, big hall. It is a 2,000-seater venue, but there are loads going again.

"But I'd love to fight at the Barbican though, that would be good."

Warters has fought at the Barbican before, when he appeared in front of a sell-out crowd against Tim Brown on the undercard of Ingle's 1998 European, Commonwealth and IBF Inter-Continental featherweight clash against Billy Hardy.

A badly cut eye saw Warters suffer his first-ever defeat and he would love to make a winning return to his home city. There is little doubt any Barbican bout would be met with welcome arms by the York boxing fraternity - with previous shows there being big sellers.

Such is the interest and expectation surrounding Warters since he joined the Pollard camp that even his mum, Marvis, has even started to attend her son's fights - with her making her 'debut' on Thursday.

"It was the first time ever she's been, she never came along even when I was a little lad boxing as she didn't dare," said Warters. "But she was talked into coming and I was chuffed.

"I can't believe she has come. I don't like her coming, but she insisted. It is like taking your mum to battle with you, you don't do it."

The hope among the York support is that Warters' can follow another of the city's favourite sons, Henry Wharton, in being crowned British champion.

And after a career blighted by long periods of inactivity, the Warrior now believes that he has everything needed to go straight to the top.

"My career will be stop-start no more," he added. "I have a world class trainer, I've got all the backing, I've got masses of support - I've got everything going for me and the only person who can mess it up is me. I don't intend to mess it up."

Updated: 11:39 Saturday, April 05, 2003