PLANS to open a boxing club in a Southampton community have moved a crucial round closer after a potential site has been identified.

Stuart Gill, who co-runs The Golden Ring Boxing Club, believes Millbrook could become a boxing hotbed if a gym opened in the area.

The enthusiastic 40-year-old has been in talks with city council bosses and Outer Shirley Regeneration leaders to uncover a suitable site for the new gym.

Now plans are being drawn up to turn the disused football changing rooms in Mansel Park Sports Pavilion, near Millbrook Towers, into a suitable boxing venue.

Stuart, who regularly trains more than 100 youngsters a week at the Golden Ring club's current home in Waterloo Road, Freemantle, said: "I'm very excited by the potential site and will be holding talks with architects. If everything goes well I will look to put a

funding application before the Outer Shirley Regeneration Board as soon as possible.

"Adrian Millward and the rest of the Outer Shirley Regeneration team share my dream of opening a boxing club in Millbrook so I'm confident we can get the cash together to make it happen.

"I'm having to turn at least 15 youngsters away a night as our current base in Freemantle is just too small. I get a lot of phone calls from Millbrook youngsters who want to box and it frustrates me that I have tell them that we are full up.

"I really think there is a lot of talent in Millbrook waiting to be discovered. But it's not just about boxing skills. It's also about teaching youngsters discipline, respect for their bodies, and respect for other people."

Stuart handed out a detailed mission statement on his boxing club plans to more than 100 locals at the recent talks on local youth crime and vigilante action held at Millbrook Towers Community Centre.