YORK boxer Luke Atkin is back with a bang. After being out of the ring for 11 months awaiting a hernia operation, the teenager defeated a Cuban fighter in impressive style in his comeback bout.

Things are certainly looking up for welterweight Atkin, 17, who is ranked in the top ten in his division in Britain.

After the successful operation at York District Hospital he received a call from David Binns, head coach of the National Boxing Academy, which is based in Durham.

He invited the former Burnholme College pupil to join the academy, which is partly funded by the National Lottery.

Atkin is now living at the academy which is situated within East Durham Community College where he is studying for an engineering degree.

In his spare time Atkin teaches boxing to special needs children and helps to raise funds for charity through sponsored skipathons.

He was selected to fight for Yorkshire against County Mayo but found himself up against a Cuban - Thomas Walsh - who was on tour in Ireland with his coach and had linked up with the Mayo squad.

The Cubans have an unrivalled reputation in world amateur boxing and Walsh did not disappoint, firing fast punches from the first bell.

Atkin got on top in the third round when he delivered a blistering four-punch combination which left Walsh with a swelling on his right eye which needed to be checked by the ringside doctor.

Walsh was allowed to carry on but at the end of the bout Atkin was declared the winner on a unanimous decision.

Yorkshire won six of the eight bouts and Atkin received the boxer of the night award.

Atkin is next in action on a bill at Willerby Manor, near Hull, next month.

"That is really a warm-up fight for the Junior ABA Championships in January," said dad Steve.

The Atkin camp are hoping a good showing in the ABAs will leave the youngster in good shape to push towards his dream of earning selection in the British team for the Bejing Olympics in 2008.

After Amir Khan's silver success in Athens, amateur boxing's bosses are hoping the sport will undergo a big revival, with Atkin and other youngsters at the academy leading the charge for future glory.

Updated: 10:32 Wednesday, October 27, 2004