Last updated at 13:20, Tuesday, 13 December 2011

Carlisle's former world super-featherweight champion Charles Shepherd wants to unearth a new boxing hero.

Charles Shepherd (right) dishes out some punishment to Tom Johnson in Carlisle in August 1999

Shepherd, who defeated American Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson in 1999 to capture the IBO World championship in the biggest night of boxing Cumbria has ever witnessed, has opened a new gym on the city’s Raffles estate.

While the main aim is to get youngsters off the streets and get them fit in a fun and disciplined environment, Shepherd would love to help develop a new boxing champ.

Shepherd, now 41, won 21 of his 35 fights during 17 years in the pro ranks and enjoyed the greatest moments of his career when he landed the British, Commonwealth and IBO World championships and an Inter-Continental title before retiring in 2008.

He hopes Four Belt Fitness on Raffles Avenue, which boasts a boxing ring, bags and pads, could be the base for another boxer to fulfil their dreams.

Shepherd said: “Boxing is still thriving and there’s a new generation coming through as the likes of Amir Khan have inspired kids.

“There are still some really good boxers out there as the British amateur boxing team is doing well and there is the London Olympics coming up. We’re also encouraging adults to come along and get fit.

“The gym is helping to keep kids out of trouble, learn discipline, get them off the streets and give them something to do, as well as have a bit of fun.

“I won four titles and, if I can unearth someone who can achieve that, it would be the icing on the cake.”

Shepherd was an English ABA Schoolboy champion at 15, and then won his first pro contest in 1991.

His record was blemished by some early mismatches, but he eventually won the British title in 1997 when he defeated Davie McHale.

Two successful defences were followed by victory over Trust Ndlovu for the Commonwealth crown in front of a sell-out crowd at Carlisle’s Sands Centre in January 1999.

Then came a successful defence against Smith Odoom in Carlisle three months later – and Shepherd was in the big-time.

He defeated Johnson for the IBF World crown, and there was talk of a fight with Prince Naseem Hamed.

But then disaster struck when he lost the first defence of his title against Frenchman Affif Djelti, and his career was on the ropes.

Although he won an IBO Inter-Continental belt four months later, plans to fight Tracy Harris Patterson at Brunton Park were scrapped and the dream of fighting Hamed for a multi-million dollar purse was in ruins.

Shepherd said: “Most of the kids who come along to the gym don’t know what I did but the dads remember me.

“I miss my boxing days but I don’t miss the sacrifices to lose a stone-and-a-half before fights, as I’m naturally over 11-stone and I fought at 9st 4lb.”

Four Belts Fitness runs classes at The Annexe, 226-228, Raffles Avenue, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights for six to 11-year-olds (6.30pm-7.30pm) and adults (7.30pm-8.30pm).

First published at 11:26, Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk