YORK'S new king of the ring Jamie Warters is vowing to give the city's fight fans more nights to remember now Henry Wharton has hung up his gloves.

The Jorvik Warrior is York's top boxing dog following Wharton's shock announcement he has fought his last fight.

Light heavyweight prospect Warters said he is determined to step out of Wharton's shadow in what promises to be a crucial year for the fighter.

Although a date and a opponent has yet to be finalised, he is hoping to touch gloves in March and is planning a further four fights before the new Millennium to underline his title claims.

Warters' return to the ring after suffering the first defeat of his professional career back in September was delayed at the end of last year.

He was due to feature in a bill at Leeds' Queens Hotel in November, with a return to winning ways likely to advance his claim for a title tilt.

But he was forced to withdraw from the contest after his right eye, cut in the defeat at the hands of Welshman Tim Brown, suffered an infection.

Warters, currently ranked in the top ten of the domestic light heavyweight division, was comfortably in front in that Barbican bout when referee Mickey Vann called time in the fourth round.

A clash of heads opened up a cut - which later needed four stitches - above the right eye just as the York fighter seemed certain to chalk-up his eighth successive win.

Ironically, Wharton beat Konstantin Ohkrey that night in a fight that has since proved to be the York ring legend's last.

"All I am hoping for this year is another five fights and if I win them I should be up there talking about titles - that is my ambition," said Warters. I want to train as hard as I can and make it my year."

And the noble Jorvik Warrior paid tribute to Wharton.

"Henry has had a good career and given it his all. He has nothing to prove and good luck to him."

For those fight fans who may have missed the 'Our Henry' tribute to the professional career of York's boxing champion Henry Wharton, then why not log on to the Evening Press website.

The Wharton feature including his ring record, his year by year fortunes, world championship review and top-notch photographs can be accessed via the Press site on www.thisisyork.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.