LEANER, meaner and lighter - York's Billy Wilson is back on track to smack an impact in professional boxing.

Wilson returned to the ring after an absence of 22 months with a promising bang when, in his debut as a cruiserweight, he downed Doncaster's Lee Nicholson in the fifth round of a scheduled six-round contest.

And fired up by his more honed frame and boasting a new trainer, Wilson has re-aligned his sights to now aim for reaching the summit of the British cruiserweight division.

After a glorious amateur record of 36 stoppages in 38 fights, Wilson took time out from boxing before returning in 2003 as a 15stone-plus heavyweight. He won three out of his first four professional fights, but the last was in December 2004.

His absence with a long-term rib injury led to a reassessment and now, six months in as training as a cruiserweight at the more trim division of 14stone 4lbs, the 25-year-old Wilson feels more in tune with his body and his punching power.

"It was a bit alien in the opening round against Nicholson at the Doncaster Dome," confessed the former All Saints School pupil.

"It took the first round for me to warm up, but after that I got into my rhythm and I felt good."

Wilson dropped his opponent to the canvas with a left hook to the body in the third round and then in the fifth round four consecutive left hooks sent Nicholson spinning through the ropes before the referee stopped the contest.

Wilson, who is now trained by former British welterweight champion Derek Roche at Sharkey's Boxing Academy in Leeds, has been lined up with his next fight again at the Doncaster Dome on December 1 against an opponent yet to be named.

If he prevails then, his management have hinted he may be in line for a crack at a Central Area title, which could then propel him to the top ten in Britain.

Said Wilson, whose ambition remains as sharp as his new fighting weight: "I believe I am far more powerful and effective as a cruiserweight - it seems more natural to me than when I was heavier.

"You have to aim to be the best in anything you do and I want to be the British champion."

Indeed, Wilson's timing could not be more apposite as the domestic cruiserweight division has seen Mark Hobson recently give up his British and Commonwealth crowns, while David Haye is contemplating a move into the heavyweight division. Wilson could prove to be the new kid on the cruiserweight block.

Ticket details for Wilson's December 1 fight can be obtained from York Amateur Boxing Club on Layerthorpe Road.