Boxing: Dukes of York

TEMPTING TARGETS: Jamie Warters, main picture, could be line to meet Henry Wharton, inset, if Frank Maloney can tempt York's former ring king out of retirement, while Leeds' Crawford Ashley, inset background, is another potential opponent for the York light heavyweight.

That is the astonishing promise of boxing king-maker Frank Maloney if rising ring star Jamie Warters wins his fight against Tony Oakley next month.

Speaking to the Evening Press, Maloney, manager of world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, said: "If Jamie Warters comes through that I guarantee I will put a financial offer to Henry Wharton to come back and fight."

Today Wharton, who was undefeated Commonwealth, British and European champion at super-middleweight, countered he would be prepared to listen to any offer.

Declared Wharton: "I would not say no. If Frank Maloney wants to come along with a financial package that is rewarding for me I would have to seriously look at it. He can get on the telephone to me and I will have a meeting."

The 31-year-old Wharton has been out of the ring since retiring nine months ago, and he added that since opening his new fish and chip shop it would take a while to get back into fighting condition.

He realised he is viewed as a major scalp. "That's the thing in boxing - there are always contenders. I am not bulling myself up as my record speaks for itself. I have done the business," said Wharton.

"I would not want someone just to follow me. I would love somebody to go beyond me, so good luck to the lad. But I know how tough this sport is."

Wharton's trainer Gary Atkin, who is due to meet Maloney later this week, said he would relish such a comeback for Wharton.

"I would love to get Henry back in the ring because I believe he has several good fights left in him. But he has to make that decision alone.

"A fight against Warters would be a sell-out, especially in York. The lad (Warters) has to take a big leap to see if he is good enough, though I would fear for him against a fit Wharton."

Only last week Maloney said he viewed Warters as 'one of the best, most exciting light-heavyweight prospects in the country', dubbing him 'the new Henry Wharton'.

Said Maloney: "It would be one of the best fights in Britain for a long, long time. It would help establish Jamie as a major force in boxing and would help him lay the ghost of Henry Wharton to rest."

Wharton's last ring battle was in September last year when he stopped Ukrainian Konstantin Ohkrey in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

Warters also fought on that Barbican bill and suffered the only defeat of his burgeoning career to date, losing to a cut inflicted by Welshman Tim Brown when he was cruising to a points victory.

In July this year, the Evening Press revealed Wharton was contemplating a sensational comeback six months after announcing his shock retirement.

Wharton, whose only defeats in a ten-year professional career were in three world title tilts at super-middleweight, admitted then he was "badly missing" the fight game.

He was due to fight Leeds' Crawford Ashley in a triple light-heavyweight challenge in a world title eliminator when he stunned boxing by announcing his retirement in January.

Ironically, Maloney has vowed that if he cannot lure Wharton to don the gloves again he will target Ashley, who lost his hat-trick of British, Commonwealth and European titles to Sheffield's Clinton Woods, as Warters' next opponent.

"He has to overcome Oakley first," said Maloney. "But for the winner of that fight I will guarantee a title fight."

Oakley is unbeaten after six fights but will follow in the steps of Wharton by stepping up from super-middleweight to fight Warters. The 23-year-old hails from Portsmouth but is trained in Brighton by Ronnie Davies, the man who guided Chris Eubank to world glory.

Davies was in Eubank's corner when he successfully defended his world crown in a bruising encounter with Wharton in 1994.

"It will be a clash of two young fighters looking to go forward," said Maloney of the Warters v Oakley fight. "But only one will go forward after November 13."

Warters' fight will feature on the undercard of the world featherweight title showdown between Scarborough's Paul Ingle and Mexico's Manuel Medina at the Hull Arena on November 13.

The Hull bill, dubbed 'Deliverance' and to be broadcast live on Sky TV, will serve as the British undercard of the Lennox Lewis v Evander Holyfield world heavyweight rematch in Las Vegas.

For 'Deliverance' tickets, telephone the Hull Arena on 01482 325252 or Panix Promotions on 0171 242 2358.

Look out for an upcoming Evening Press competition to win two sets of ringside seats for 'Deliverance' and other boxing goodies.

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