YORK fighter Richard Cadden is gearing himself up for a Thai boxing British title by heading over to the Far East for a contest in Thailand.

The 24-year-old from Acomb, who fights out of Bad Company Gym in Leeds, flew today for the encounter with a top Thai competitor and to get some expert coaching.

He will return to fight Cumbria's Mark Brown for the British 62kg crown at Leeds Town Hall on September 29.

"I've been out to Thailand about five times before but only for training. This is the first time I will have an actual fight there," said Cadden, who has 13 wins from 16 contests so far.

Cadden, who is given day release by his employers, Jarvis Rail, based on Leeman Road in York, to study for his degree, will be starting his final year in manufacturing systems engineering in October.

Updated: 10:38 Saturday, August 25, 2001