WHEN the Weymouth Amateur Boxing Club opened its doors for the coming season - in walked a British middleweight legend.

And Tony Sibson - the former undefeated three times British champion, seven times European champion and Commonwealth champion - said he wants to get involved.

Sibson, 46, who has a home in Weymouth and spends part of his time in the resort, said: "I loved my boxing career, it gave me the best days of my life and now that I have found out about the club I would like to give something back to a sport which has been so good to me.

"I will be popping in the gym now and again and will offer my help to the club and its youngsters in anyway possible."

Sibson, who fought Marvellous Marvin Hagler for the world middleweight title in 1983, was renowned throughout the Eighties for being a clinical finisher with a trademark left hook. During his professional career the Leicester-born boxer had 63 bouts, winning 55 with 31 knockouts.

Club chairman David Nelmes said: "Tony's presence at the club has given us a great boost and we welcome his support. We're looking forward to a good season."

Meanwhile the club itself has received national recognition for its achievement as a successful National Lottery funded project.

Nelmes said the National Lottery (Sport for England) has presented the club with a plaque which is proudly on display at the Hardwick Street gym.

He added: "We have also entered the Lottery's Helping Hands Award which is a project for helping children and the community."

Nelmes said: "Training in earnest begins tonight, with regular training nights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6.30pm-8pm. The all-inclusive cost is £32 for adults and juniors £21.

A new addition to the club's team is Mark Ford, who is a former Weymouth boxer, Five Counties schoolboy champion, ex-Army boxer and now a personal fitness trainer.

Throughout the summer, along with trainer Roland Siddons, the pair ran the gym and were pleased with the response from the public

Club captain Peter Wiffen has earned his assistant coaching award which enables him to be a second in a corner and club trainer Roland Siddons has become a fully-qualified amateur boxing coach after passing his examinations.

If you would like to sponsor the club for £100 - which will include two tickets to the autumn dinner/boxing tournament on Saturday, November 27, at Weymouth Pavilion, contact David Nelmes on 01305 812748 or mobile 078999 25316.