NATIONWIDE exposure is guaranteed for York’s newest boxing gym which is the new domain of Henry Wharton, York’s lord of the ring.

A crew from Sky Sports visited “Henry’s Gym”, now uppercut and punching in the former first floor of the old Regent Cinema in Acomb’s York Street, and were knocked out by the city’s latest boxing club.

The visit returned Wharton to the cameras in front of which he was such a regular during his boxing heyday in the 1990s when he ruled as undefeated European, Commonwealth and British super-middleweight champion, as well as suffering just three losses in three separate assaults on the world title.

“It was such a big bonus for all the lads training at the gym,” said Wharton, who jokingly added: “I’ve never seen so many wanting to get in front of the camera. It didn’t take much from me to get them working flat out.”

The Sky crew used the visit to also interview Wharton over boxing’s potential bout of the year next month when Britain’s Carl Froch takes on Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler in an eagerly-awaited rematch between two of the 12-stone division’s leading warriors.

Froch, the Cobra, suffered his first loss as a pro to the Dane when the duo clashed in a storming world title showdown in 2010.

Since then Froch – re-establised as one of the world’s top super-middleweights as the current International Boxing Federation world king – prepares for a second showdown against Kessler.

Wharton recalled how when the duo first met he tipped the dangerous Dane to do the business, which he promptly did in a points verdict.

But, three years on, the former York ring of the ring, is convinced that Froch would now prevail.

“I have warmed to Froch who is a worthy world-class super-middleweight,” said Wharton.

“He has matured with age and after taking all that has been thrown at him and various setbacks, he is right back in the mix.

“What I like about him is that he does not go in for this trash-talk business. He gets on with it, gives 100 per cent and I can see him winning second time around.”

Meanwhile, Wharton is looking for sponsors for the gym and has appealed to any York businesses who might be interested in providing backing for various elements at the Acomb-based premises.

Anyone interersted can phone Wharton on 07543 636424.