HUNTINGTON boxer Danny Wright turns out in the professional arena for the first time next month attempting to follow in the footsteps of York's greatest-ever fighter.

Wright, a former British representative in amateur boxing, has signed professional with Leeds-based promoter Rick Manners and will make his debut on the undercard for the Carl Johanneson v Andrew Ferrans British title final eliminator at Leeds Town Hall on February 23.

Big things are hoped of the 28-year-old middleweight, not least by Manners, who has likened him to the one and only Henry Wharton, York's unprecedented undefeated former British, Commonwealth and European super-middleweight champion.

"It's early days but he's got that kind of mood," said Manners.

"He's the same kind of boxing style. He's got phenomenal punching power - that's what attracted me into signing him."

Wharton's only defeats were in his three world title bouts - against Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Robin Reid for the World Boxing Council crown - all of which were only decided on points.

Manners added: "We're trying to push him (Wright) towards the British title and Europeans and maybe he can go one better than Henry."

Wright, 28, began his boxing career at the now defunct K&B Boxing Club in York and moved on to the Hunslet Boys Amateur Boxing Club's fighting factory, which has produced Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) title winners and pro champions such as Levi Paterson and Shaun Hughes.

The York fighter himself won the Yorkshire and Humberside middleweight amateur 'novice' crown last year - he was eligible for novices having fought fewer than 20 bouts - although a hand injury then denied him the chance of a national ABA title.

Nonetheless, he had already fought for the Great Britain and Ireland Community Clubs team in New York, where he toppled his New Jersey opponent in the second round.

And Manners reckons that power and style, plus Wright's stamina, were more suited to the pro game, as opposed to ABA rules, where fights last four two-minute rounds and points are scored for simply making contact with a punch.

"His roughhouse tactics and big, hard punches suit the pro game better - the ABA does not go for that with it's scoring system," he said.

"He's been in with a few other pros and he's been banging them about. He's big and he can stay on his feet longer than eight minutes."

Wright added: "I'm delighted to be turning professional and I feel Rick Manners is the right manager for me due to his Leeds dominance in promoting open shows in the local area. This will heighten my profile."

Manners has also signed up-and-coming featherweight Gary Sykes, from Dewsbury, and both he and Wright will now work closely with Team Carl Johanneson and Team Ingle.

Manners added: "That will put them on the right route to success."

Updated: 10:14 Wednesday, January 18, 2006