IN THE hometown of a former world champion boxer, young fighters of the future have received a financial boost which promises to pack a punch for an amateur club’s coffers.

The Darlington Amateur Boxing Club (DABC) is set to benefit from the knockout success of an inaugural white collar fight night which saw 22 inexperienced boxers stepping into the ring in aid of North-East charities.

The July showdown in Darlington’s Dolphin Centre has since raised £25,000 for organisations in need after businessmen and women swapped suits for boxing shorts with the in-ring guidance of Stuart Hall.

The event – called Taking Care of Business – was organised by Darlington-based Corporate Personal Fitness, which has contributed £800 to DABC and its five young members who already box for England.

Andy Marksby, DABC coach, said: “Boxing at amateur level isn’t all about going hell for leather.

“We teach our young boxers that it’s always better to get out of the way of a punch. In fact, boxing is a great way to learn discipline and self-control.

“We get parents to bring children down because they have confidence issues. It’s wonderful to watch them grow from a painfully shy child into a confident boxer over the course of a few years.”

Mr Marksby was encouraged to box by his grandad after facing bullies in school and a financial contribution to the club is hoped to inspire the next generation of North-East champions.

Johnny Harrison, trainer and joint owner of Corporate Personal Fitness, said: “For a town of its size, Darlington has always punched above its weight in the sport.

“Several members of Darlington Amateur Boxing Club already compete for England and Stuart Hall’s success in the professional ring will encourage a whole new generation of fighters from the town.”

DABC has been based in its Longfield Road gym for three decades and has 25 carded boxers and ten trainees.

Mr Hall has hailed DABC's nine-year-old Jonas Railton as Darlington’s next world champion.