DYNAMIC Thai boxer Richard Cadden is on the threshold of a 2001 ace odyssey.

The 24-year-old signed off the first year of the new Millennium with his fourth success in six professional contests to put him in line for a shuddering journey into the unknown.

Talks are now under way to line up an opponent for the vacant English championship in the 63-kilogrammes weight division at Wakefield next March.

That's just over a year since the dedicated York warrior turned professional in the unrelenting and unforgiving arena of Thai boxing.

Cadden's progress has been impressive as his performances.

In just six bouts the fighter, who is attached to the Bad Company gymnasium in Leeds, has risen from 'C' class, whereby contests comprise three two-minute rounds, to 'B' class and the greater demands of five two-minute round encounters.

His latest triumph - a unanimous points verdict over Fife-born fighter Mark Grainger at Maryport's Civic Hall in Cumbria - was characterised by fierce punching combinations, allied to accurate kicking.

Cadden believes that the victory signalled his readiness to take the 'A' train and with it the route to championship glory.

To thoroughly test 'A'-class combatants, bouts span five three-minute rounds and are always for championships, hence the prospect of grabbing the vacant English crown.

Enthused Acomb-based Cadden: "That's my next aim - to go for the title, hopefully in March.

"I will be resting now, but will start my training programme again in the new year so I can be ready for the challenge."

Cadden combines his fierce determination to succeed alongside the graft of studying for a degree in manufacturing systems engineering.

It's a time and energy-sapping combination, but on the Thai boxing front his ambitions have been boosted by his association with the Bad Company gym, who boast a world champion in Leeds-based Lisa Houghton, plus the tuition of his instructor, multi-title-holder Ric-hard Smith.

"The gym is so well established - we even have our own website on badcompany.co.uk" said Cadden.

Now he has one of sport's most physical missions in his sights.