TITLE glory of legendary nature is up for grabs tonight for York's Thai boxing star Richard Cadden.

The 28-year-old Acomb-based ace is pitched against returning star Ashley Guishard, a man who was once tagged the best Thai boxer to have ever come out of Britain.

That unofficial crown is now being sought by Cadden as he attempts to halt Guishard in his comeback tracks. Cadden's Sale opponent was the star of the British scene until a few years ago when he suffered a nasty motorcycle accident.

Medical experts feared Guishard would never fight again, but he has since defied those gloomy verdicts to return to the ring having come through one comeback bout already.

Now he is up against Cadden - Britain's number one at lightweight. The York star has now stepped up to the light-welterweight division after finishing in silver position in a world title bout against Bangkok master Khong Nakorn last September.

And Cadden is determined that he will halt Guishard in Manchester tonight.

"It's a case of the new tiger against the old dog and I'm determined that the tiger will roar," said Cadden.

"He is out to enjoy a successful comeback and after winning his first fight he set about coming up against me.

"Guishard is an extremely tough fighter and in his heyday before his accident he was hailed as the best Thai boxer ever produced in Britain. But I want to be that legend, I want that title. I want to be known as the best Thai boxer to have ever come out of Britain."

Cadden, who fights out of the Bad Company gym in Leeds, said his war of the Roses encounter had all the makings of a classic contest, especially against an opponent of the calibre of Guishard, who hails from the Beastmaster gym in Manchester.

"He is the local hero, but I'm at the top of my game after my experience in Thailand last year, so I'm looking forward to tonight's fight," enthused York's Thai warrior.

Updated: 10:21 Saturday, April 30, 2005