BOXER Jack Hyde has moved a step closer to his dream of turning professional.

Although only six fights into his amateur career, Hyde was crowned Yorkshire area semi-professional super-middleweight champion last weekend thanks to a convincing points win over Ryan Taylor from Leeds.

The former Archbishop's Holgate CE Academy pupil, 21, was a late starter in the sport but is quickly making up for lost time.

His devotion to the noble art is also helping to put his life back on track - after it so nearly went off the rails four years ago.

"I had started drinking and I had been kicked out of my foster home," he revealed. "For two years, I was homeless living in hostels.

"My father, Tony, died of cancer and that was the moment I took a serious look at myself. Life is short, I needed a focus, and that gave me the motivation I needed."

Originally from Acomb, Hyde had been living with his foster parents Tony and Julie Arthur, in Heslington, from the age of seven.

At 17, he took his first steps into the world of boxing, attending sessions at various clubs around the city.

Currently working as a scaffolder, he has now moved to the York Master's Gym where he will be helped on his way by the respected trainer and manager Glenn Banks.

"I think I will be ready to turn professional after another four fights," he said. "I am like a sponge that has soaked up so much knowledge over the last three years.

"I had always been interested in boxing but there was a big difference between watching it and actually going in the ring. It required a lot of confidence and to start with I was worried that people would think I was useless.

"But now I want to thank the people that have supported me. People are saying nice things and I am trying to win fights in an entertaining way.

"I don't want people to cry me a river or anything and I don't believe my past is anything to be proud of. But I don't take anything in life for granted and, even if I do feel bad on a day to day basis, I just look on the bright side and say 'well, at least I am still here breathing."

Hyde's next fight is provisionally scheduled for November at the Huntington WMC against Alex Ferguson from Leeds who, ironically, inflicted the only defeat of his six fight career to date.

"He is a quality fighter but, I am better than when we last met, and I do believe that, this time, I will deal with him in the correct manner."

Mother Julie, meanwhile, remains fiercely proud of her son who poignantly dedicated one of his early victories to his late father.

"I know Jack has had his problems but he has come through the other end now and is concentrating on something for the first time in his life," she said. "I am so proud of what he is doing and I think he is going to go all the way."

Hyde's victory over Taylor last weekend was the highlight of an evening's boxing at Huntington and District WMC which also saw victories for York Masters' boxing club debutants Liam Malarky and Liam Kennaghan, against Castleford's Nigel Tunningley and Bramley's Bradley Plows, respectively.

The main attraction, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, featured former professional boxer Jamie Warters winning on points against Birmingham's experienced Shaun Williams.

Big Baps boxing club, on Boroughbridge Road, had three boxers on the show. First up was Kai Witty, who won on points in a junior contest against Bramley's Mckenzie Massey. Jack Hodgson won on points against Marcus Howitt from Leeds, and Will Barron lost on points against Phil Walker of Bramley.

Micheal Fafera made his debut and won impressively by first round stoppage against the more experienced Chucky Robson from Bradford. Sam Mayers from Malton lost on points to Bramleys Mckenzie O'Rouke. The show was filmed by the 'Made in Leeds' TV channel 117 and was hailed as a success by organisers.