Rising ring star Jamie Warters is boxing's new Henry Wharton according to one of the sport's leading lights.

BAYWATCH BELTERS: Paul Ingle (left) and York's Jamie Warters take an overview of their respective title horizons Picture by Nigel Holland

Maverick manager Frank Maloney claims light-heavyweight prospect Warters is "one of the best most exciting light-heavyweight prospects in the country".

And he confirmed the Evening Press exclusive earlier this week that he has a British title challenge in his sights for the Jorvik Warrior by the end of the year.

Maloney, manager of world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and Scarborough's featherweight title contender Paul Ingle, said: "I am excited by Jamie Warters.

"In my view he is the new Henry Wharton of Yorkshire and of Britain. He has a lovely character, has a great attitude and knows the business and I am pushing the button on him this year.

"We had a shaky start, but he is not going to stop now. We have a lot of lost time to make up on."

After just nine fights, Warter's comparison with York's three-times super-middleweight world title challenger may be slightly premature.

But Ingle also took time out of his preparations for his Hull showdown with Mexican world champion Manuel Medina to give Warters, who fights on the undercard, his backing.

"I have always rated Jamie Warters very highly," Ingle told the Evening Press. "I am sure he will go far once he has got that self-belief that all fighters must have."

Warters' opponent on November 13 has still to be confirmed, but Maloney said it is likely to be either Hull's Tony Booth or Manchester southpaw Glenn Williams.

"I believe Jamie will be staking a claim for a British title before the end of the year. There is a great fight out there for him with Clinton Woods (Sheffield's British, Commonwealth and European light heavyweight champion).

"That is one fight I would like to put on and it would be a great fight for Yorkshire."

Warters has sparred with the champion in the past, serving as his number one training partner prior to Woods winning his hat-trick of titles from Leeds-based Crawford Ashley and in his Commonwealth defence against New Zealand's Sam Leuii.

Warters said he is willing to fight anyone if it means he can claim a championship belt. "Whoever holds the title at the time I will have to take them on. They are people I have got to face and win," he said.

"I just can't wait for this next fight. All this training must be for a reason."

Warters has again been mixing with the best as part of his build-up to his November fight, sparring with former European cruiserweight champion and world title challenger Terry Dunstan.

Dunstan fights Carl Thompson for the vacant British cruiserweight title in Peterborough on December 3.

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