HUNTINGTON boxer Daniel Wright will head for the Big Apple this month as he represents Great Britain against the best of New York's amateur fighters.

Wright has been selected for the GB Community Clubs team that will fly out to the States on March 20.

The 27-year-old middleweight fought for the now defunct K&B Boxing Club in York as a teenager but is now a member of Hunslet Boys and Girls Club and has recently represented Yorkshire.

Wright, who works on the Farm and Gardens Site at Full Sutton Prison, is expecting a tough contest on the east coast.

He said: "I've boxed against Americans before over here and they are very game so I'm expecting a hard fight. I can't wait to go to New York though."

When Wright returns from America he will prepare for the start of the national novice ABAs at the end of the month.

The York fighter has elected to contest the novice championship rather than the seniors as he believes he will have a greater chance of success, saying: "I am still eligible for the novices as I have had less than 20 bouts.

"I'm confident I will pick up a title in the novices and then I can perhaps get a bit more schooling and go for the open class next year."

Wright is not ruling out a switch to professional boxing either, adding: "I want to see how it goes but I wouldn't mind because I think my style suits professional boxing more than amateur.

"Amateur boxing is very quick over four two-minute rounds whereas professional boxing is more about stamina, which is one of my strengths."

Wright has already represented GB's Community Clubs this year, defeating Ireland's James Clifford on points in Spalding, Lincolnshire.

He is also looking for sponsors to help fund his trip to New York and anybody willing to help should contact Dennis Robbins at Hunslet Boys and Girls club, Leeds, on 0113 2716489.

Updated: 09:44 Wednesday, March 09, 2005