HENRY Wharton's transfer of power will help him to net his lifelong goal - the world championship, writes Tony Kelly.
There's a whole new buzz about the York fighter, who nine years after turning professional, sees his new adventure in America as igniting his career to the crown he has always coveted.
As he contemplated his Yank good fortune Wharton likened his move from Mickey Duff, his manager for more than a decade, to new promoter Frank Maloney, to the sort of big-money deal that takes a football star from one club to another.
"It's like getting transferred. A world-class player moves to another club and he gets started again. That's how I feel right now," he said.
"The enthusiasm is back and I want to go to America and show them all my tricks. I want to show how I can box, how I can perform."
He conceded that it would be 'catastrophic' if his debut in America next month were to end in anything but victory, adding that he had to win.
But he was even more positive. " I will win and I will be world champion.
"I know some people are probably sick of me saying that after having three go's at the super-middleweight crown. But there's a new spring in my step at this new weight. There's nothing anyone can do about yesterday. You have to go forward and look towards the future.
"If you're not in it, you can't win it. And I intend to win it."
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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