WORLD middleweight title contender Martin Murray showed he has not forgotten his roots when he turned up for a training session at a Parr-based amateur boxing club.

The 32-year-old Fingerpost fighter thrilled local young boxers and spectators at the Wildcard ABC when he went through a rigorous training session on the pads with coach Oliver Harrison.

Although Murray is already deep into his preparations and is about to go into his 10-week training camp mode ahead of his Monte Carlo showdown with the unbeaten Kazakh champion Gennady Golovkin – but found time for an extra ring session last Friday.

Understandably the club and the young boxers were thrilled by the working visit of the town’s favourite boxing son.

One of the club’s coach Dominic Hodnett was delighted with the tonic their high-profile visitor brought to the youngsters.

He said: “As the club starts to wind down for a short Christmas break Martin and Oliver took time out of their busy schedule to give our kids a bit of a boost.

“It also showed them how hard work, dedication and skills are probably the most important tools in a boxer's make up that can propel a local lad from the same area and environment as themselves to world boxing stardom.”

The town is rooting for Murray, who has controversially drawn one and lost another of his previous tilts at the world title.

Hodnett said: “Martin is a true inspiration. If you were to ask me for a prediction for his next fight I reckon the ‘Power’ will cut off Golovkin’s supply and put his lights out somewhere in the middle rounds.

“I don’t know about third time lucky he didn’t get it wrong in the first two challenges and should have been champion in Germany and Argentina. Hopefully he won’t need the judges this time. Everyone at Wildcard is 100 per cent behind him.”

Wildcard ABC operates a daily new class, dedicated for over 18s boxing sparring from 7.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday by appointment. On Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm it is fitness, strength and conditioning circuits.

With a large squad competing all over Britain, Wildcard need big hearted sponsors to help elevate the club to the next level.

Hodnett added: “The foundations are solid, the materials are here. Anyone interested in helping to build a brighter future should ring me on 07825 912132 or mail wildcard-abc@hotmail.co.uk"