A GUEST with clout will headline a special sporting lunch at York Acorn Amateur Rugby League Club on Sunday.

American ring-king Tim Witherspoon, who twice held boxing world heavyweight championship titles, is the main guest of “An Audience with...” fund-raiser at the club.

Witherspoon lifted his first world title when he beat Greg Page for the vacant International Boxing Federation crown in 1984.

Two years later he toppled World Boxing Association champion Tony Tubbs.

Witherspoon defended that title also in 1986 against Britain’s Frank Bruno and is believed to be the first world heavyweight boxing king to appear in York.

Said Acorn club steward Billy Blackburn: “It’s great to have a former world champion here.”

The event starts at 1pm and costs £20 a ticket, including a hog-roast sandwich, as well as a turn by comedian Lester Crabtree. Tickets are available by phoning the club on York 330351.

Money raised from the event will go to the Debbie Plowman Happy Faces Trust.