YORK amateur boxing is poised to leap up from the canvas again - but it needs support of the city's sporting public.

The club which initially nurtured the talent of former undefeated European, Commonwealth and British super-middleweight champion Henry Wharton, has been operating under the dire threat of closure.

Its lengthy tenancy at All Saint's Church hall in North Street is within weeks of ending, poised too to inflict a knockout blow on a club that has largely been full of vigour for the best part of four decades.

But now the club is defiantly back on its own two feet and is standing four-square to enter a new headquarters, which is hoped will signal a new era of success.

Before the end of this month the club are hoping to move into premises at the former Olympia gymnasium in Layerthorpe, where again it will trade punches and muscle-stretching endeavour under the York Amateur Boxing Club banner.

That proud name was forsworn for an All Saints BC title some while ago, but with that connection about to be dispatched, club secretary Lewis Gell said the time was right to return to the YABC crown.

Said Gell: "Over the past two or three years it's been tough to keep going with the threat of closure hanging over us.

"So when we got the new premises we wanted to revert to the old York ABC name we had for so long.

"We are hoping for a brand new start and we are hoping boxers who have moved on will see the improvements at the club and training methods and will come back and help build a great York boxing squad."

In a new venture Gell explained that the club will also offer fitness training as well as boxing training under an expandced coaching team led by head coach Jack Rayne.

Offers of help have come from current York fight professionals Billy Wilson and Pinkie Burton.

The club is also actively seeking various grant aid including an approach to the Charity Commission, so any help would be needed to restore the club to greater glories.

"There's a lot of talent out there and we want to make sure it does not go to waste," said Gell.

"So anyone who can help from cash support to time-keeping to just helping to keep the club tidy I would urge to get in touch."

Would-be backers can contact Gell on 07734 228473 or e-mail lewisgell@hotmail.com

Updated: 10:10 Saturday, July 03, 2004