YORK professional boxing’s most recent productive partnership is over.

Middleweight title hopeful Harry Matthews and his York-based trainer Glenn Banks confirmed to The Press they have parted company to go their separate ways.

Both agreed the ending of an association going back just over four years had been “mutual and amicable”.

However, among York’s boxing fraternity the break-up of the Mathews/Banks team will be a shock – the split coming less than a fortnight since Matthews, the self-styled Pocklington Rocket, was pipped to the international masters middleweight championship at the top of a York-based bill co-promoted by his trainer Banks.

The points defeat was Matthews’ third out of the 14 professional contests he had under Banks’ tutelage with the duo also having an amateur association in which Banks guided the prospect to six consecutive victories.

Said Banks: “Harry and me have decided to part company.

“We were both unhappy with certain things, but that happens in boxing, that’s the way the fight game is. The split is amicable.”

The only blot for Banks was that Matthews’ decision had appeared in another newspaper without him being informed first. “I think it would have been better to talk to me about it first,” said the trainer.

Together as trainer and fighter for the past four years, since when Matthews turned professional after a brief, but successful amateur career, Banks said he was proud to have got his protégé to where he was now – fighting for titles.

“I enjoyed helping to get Harry where he wants to go at this stage of his career. I wish him all the best as does everyone in my camp and I still think he can do well – I hope he does.

“There are no hard feelings on my part, it’s just onwards and upwards now with the rest of the fighters I have in my camp.”

The Banks stable still comprises veteran Graham Fearn, who was ruled out of the May 14 show with a torn bicep sustained in training just days before the Energise Centre bill; the all-action Matt Doyle, who blasted his way to a 24-second knockout of his opponent; and upcoming light-welterweight prospect Lee Stewart, who excelled on his professional debut over six rounds.

Matthews confirmed he was due to sign with a new manager – the Leeds-based Mark Bateson.

Matthews said the revelation of a split from Banks in another newspaper had “been blown out of proportion”.

But he added: “It was a mutually agreed decision. Me and Glenn worked well together and we were good friends. We will remain friends. There’s been no falling out with him.

“It’s just that I need to do what I feel is best for my career.

“I need to get out there and find some more experience. It’s just business. It’s just boxing business and it’s nothing personal.”

Uppermost in the 24-year-old Matthews’ sights was a rematch against Bristol-based Turk Rocky Cakir, who out-pointed him just 11 days ago, revealing he was hopeful of a contest at a bill at Leeds United’s Elland Road on September 24.

“I was a bit flat in our first fight and I have since been put on anti-biotics after a doctor said I had been suffering from flu,” said the Pocklington Rocket.

“I’m not making excuses – Rocky Cakir had the better night then and he was busier, but I am a warrior and I do want him back in the ring because his days with the belt are numbered.”