BOXING trainer Glenn Banks has achieved another York first.

He has become the city’s first British Boxing Board of Control licensed manager – giving him the authority to arrange fights and purses for his stable of fighters.

The former amateur fighter, who as a trainer has looked after North Yorkshire ring warriors including Harry Matthews, Lee Stewart and, currently, Graham Fearn, went through a rigorous training and examination process to achieve the accreditation, which is continuing his progress up the professional boxing ladder.

Banks said: “For the last three years, I have had a trainer and seconds licence and you have to do that for three years before you can apply to be a manager. I had to go up before the central area of the BBBOC and have an interview in front of a panel of ten.

“I have had to study the law book, managed to get through it, and now I am proud to announce I am York’s first BBBOC licensed manager. It means I can train and manage my own boxers. I can deal with their business, negotiate matches and venues as well as arranging medical cover and so on.

“I’ve made my first signing, Graham Fearn, and have come to an agreement with his old manager Jimmy Phelan. It’s onwards and upwards.”

With Stewart, Matt Doyle and Danny Gel having retired Banks is on the lookout for promising fighters and he is soon set to add some new names to his roster.