Hero is an over-used word in the lexicon of sport.

Last blow: Henry Wharton brings Ukranian Konstantin Okhrey to his knees in his final fight at York Barbican last September

And in boxing, which has a legion of detractors, it can be hard to apply such a description.

But Henry Wharton fully deserves top billing as a hero of the fight game. He has been a champion both in achievement and in action, and an eminent ambassador in a sport that is often its own worst foe.

It behoves any hero in sport to comport themselves with distinction, with daring, with dedication. All three qualities have been amply shown by the York boxer during his near decade as a professional.

It also is the mark of a champion that he does not indulge in disrespect or disregard for any of his opponents. That tawdry path, so well trod in boxing as to be almost worn away, has never been travelled by the man from York.

Amid all the fists and fury, the thud, blood, and thunder, and the media-generated hype and sniping, Wharton has resisted all approaches to rubbish a rival. He has never gone in for such oafish histrionics.

Wharton's courage too is beyond question. Few will ever forget that blood-drenched epic with Rod Carr in which he defied crippling odds to capture the first of his three super-middleweight crowns.

And what of the fortitude he displayed in not once, not twice, but thrice countering failed world title bids to launch returns to the ring.

He was the quintessential 'comeback kid'.

Now though he believes enough is enough, and perhaps that shows even greater bravery. Though the chance of more glory is tantalisingly within reach Wharton has decided that his legendary heart is no longer in the fight game.

Some will blanch at his decision to go at such a juncture. But for all the crowds, cheers, back-slappers and well-wishers boxing is a singularly lonely sport.

Thanks 'Our Henry', it's been an honour to document your heroic glove-story.

Boxing's tribute to Wharton

Britain's longest-serving promoter Mickey Duff hailed Henry Wharton as one of the 'unluckiest' fighters never to win a world title.

But the veteran manager, who guided the York star to his three world title shots, believed Wharton had made a sensible decision to end his professional career.

"If you feel you can't do it any more then that's the time to get out as then you'll get hurt. He has made a wise decision and you have to respect that," said Duff.

It was with Duff that Wharton signed as a professional just under ten years ago after the manager had been impressed by his showing in the Amateur Boxing Association finals.

"He did well with me. He was a good fighter and probably one of those small band of boxers unlucky not to have won the world title," said Duff.

"He just did not shine on those nights, but there were several other nights when his performances would have won the world title."

York's Bill Brown, Wharton's first trainer, hailed the ringside accomplishment of his former protg.

The experienced coach was the first man to hone the raw talent that the teenage Wharton brought to the old York Amateur Boxing Club gymnasium 17 years ago.

Said the 65-year-old Brown: "Henry has done everything I said he would and he has made a very good name for himself in the sport.

"Good Lord, I cannot praise him highly enough. He has been a gentlemen both inside and out of the ring, an excellent ambassador for his sport. When he was training with me he was one of the best I have ever worked with."

A lavish tribute to Wharton's sheer will and excitement as a fighter was paid by John Morris, the general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control.

Morris championed Wharton's cause heavily in his push for a third world title shot in 1997 and has long been a devotee of the York boxer.

He said today from the BBBC's offices in London: "I have a great admiration for Henry for his strength, for his character, for the sheer excitement he generated, and for the way he conducted his career.

"He was one of those warriors who are tremendous in the ring and as far as I know outside it he was always what you hope a professional fighter would be.

"In deciding to quit now he literally goes out at the top. While he never became world champion he was always a world-rated fighter."

Woods fills in

Clinton Woods of Sheffield, the former Commonwealth super-middleweight champion, will step into Henry Wharton's boots and box Leeds-based Crawford Ashley at Halifax on Saturday, February 6.

see COMMENT 'All the best, Henry'

see SPORT 'Henry quits'

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