An amateur boxing club is set to be re-launched after one of its former members was inspired by a newspaper article.

A ‘bygones’ piece in the Congleton Chronicle led Michael Thompson to reunite himself with the boxing ring.

He saw details of the Congleton Amateur Boxing Club, which was running 25 years ago, in the Glancing Back column.

He boxed for the RAF as a 10st 7lbs welterweight, with the claim to fame of boxing – and beating once – the famous Frankie Jones.

Michael told the Chronicle: “He was an African-American from California who boxed out of the Golden Glove Amateur Boxing Club of San Francisco. I boxed him three times. He beat me twice and I won once!”.

He said boxing was “very close to his heart” and now he was retired he had time to rekindle interest in the town.

“I want to put Congleton on the boxing map,” he said, “I need people to help me get this off the ground.”

The Chronicle reported that he has now opened a bank account in Congleton and is now hoping for local support.

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