Amateur boxing in York is to undergo a massive upswing as it prepares for a season's finale later this month.

The current campaign closes with the self-billed 'big night of amateur boxing' at Huntington Working-Mens' Club on Wednesday, May 23.

The event - run by York Amateur Boxing Club in conjunction with the highly-regarded St Paul's ABC club in Hull - will feature the best that York currently has to offer in the amateur ranks.

But the night is more than just a first-hand look at the city's upcoming talent. It is also a glimpse of the future as for the first time in many years York ABC is soon to be accorded official affiliation by England's governing body, the Amateur Boxing Association.

Although many of the fighters to feature at Huntington WMC train in York at the All Saints gymnasium in North Street they have to box for clubs outside the city because of non-affiliation.

That will change in time for next season, insisted York-based coach Steve Atkin.

He and the rest of the York club have had influential backing from England selection committee member and St Paul's ABC coach Mick Bromby.

But before the affiliation is finally secured the public of York can watch the city's rising prospects in action at Huntington WMC.

The York boxers confirmed for action are: light-welterweight Graham Fearn, aged 25 of Clifton; welterweight Glen Banks, age 24 of Huntington; light-middleweight Mark Draper, age 21 of Leeman Road; light-heavyweight Danny Wright, age 23 of New Earswick; welterweight Hassan Khrelbani, age 21 of Pocklington; and junior bantamweight Luke Atkin, age 13 of Tang Hall.

Tickets costing £10 for the event, which starts at 8pm, are available from Huntington WMC or Steve Atkin tel York 430878.

Updated: 09:29 Tuesday, May 15, 2001