IT’S half past seven on a Wednesday evening, and Henry’s Gym on The Crescent is a real hive of energy when The Press swings by.

There are some young boxers sparring inside the ring, others punching bags, and a small group being taught a series of striking techniques by former champion Henry Wharton himself.

But in the back room, 15-year-old Luke Moore seems to be in his own world as he goes through his final preparations ahead of next week’s European Junior Boxing Championships.

He is running hard on a treadmill - watched on by proud father Billy - as he prepares to head to Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of the competition, held from June 23 to 30.

Having been put through his paces in the ring by his trainer the previous evening, Luke is determined to bring his second European title back home to York.

“I’m very much looking forward to it,” he enthused. “And I’m going to get that gold.”

Nobody has been able to stop the rising talent, who has already claimed both National and Tri-Nations titles this year.

He has upped his weight from 60kg to 63kg, which has seen him fight opponents larger, and several years older than him - not that you’d know it by his results.

Adorned in a smart tracksuit printed with his nickname ‘The Boy’, he believes he is better for having a European experience already under his belt.

“It was a very good experience for me last year,” he reflected. “And obviously getting that gold.

“When you get out there you have to adapt to the heat, and also the new food - you don’t get a choice, you just have to eat what’s in front of you.

“You adapt to the heat, some new ways of warming up, you’ve got different coaches. But you’ve just got to adapt to all of that.”

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The luck of the draw could play its part in Bosnia, with Luke potentially fighting in the pre-pre-quarters, pre-quarters, quarter-final and semi-final on his way to another gold-medal match.

As a reigning champion, he admits he has a target on his back, but having enjoyed every moment since stepping up in weight, that is something that only serves to further spur him on.

“There is a target on my back, but I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing when I’m boxing, and I should do it again.

“[The step up to 63kg] has been so good so far.

“I’ve been winning everything, I’ve won the two national titles, I just need to get this one now, and it’ll be good.

“I’m a bit stronger, a bit tougher, and better for that experience.”

Since his selection, Luke has been travelling across the country to train with England’s coaches - from Tamworth to Sheffield and Huddersfield - and back with Wharton in York.

But those are sacrifices that the teenager and his family are more than willing to make.

“I’ve been training here and then on the weekends with England,” he explained.

“There’s been plenty of sparring, plenty of bag work and getting into the gym.”

With the expectation of the city upon the young man’s shoulders, asked what a second European title - and 2024 treble would mean to him, he replied: “I’d be over the moon. It’d be very good.

“It would just prove that I’m the best, doing it twice.”