HENRY WHARTON believes that his new professional fighter Hughie Wilson is a “star of the future.”

The York boxing legend, who competed for the world title three times during his boxing career, has added to his growing stable of fighters in the paid ranks with Wilson joining George Davey, Mitchell Barton and Rafal Benka in turning over.

The 20-year-old makes the move following an enjoyable spell in the amateurs, where he picked up a pair of Yorkshire titles and reached the semi-finals of the national championships.

At the age of 16, Wilson dropped out of the sport due to work commitments.

But after discussions with Wharton and his stable-mate Davey, he returned to the sport and will likely end a three-year absence from the ring in 2020.

Born in Doncaster, Wilson travels up to York from South Yorkshire for his training sessions at Henry’s Gym in Acomb, though these are currently on hold amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The lockdown measures have also meant that Wilson has seen his professional debut, which he was hoping to take place in the spring, put on hold.

However, once normality does resume, Wharton is confident that Wilson will be able to show the public what he's all about.

“He’s a good little fighter is Hughie and he is going to be a little star of the future,” enthused Wharton.

“He’s come through the ranks as an amateur and he finished with a good record.

"He’s had three years out of the ring but he’s back now.

“He was really getting stuck into training at the gym before it was shut and he was working hard alongside George, Mitchell and Rafal.

“We've developed a strong stable of fighters that are coming through.

“Hughie can counter punch but he’s also a good fighter as well.

“He also likes to go on the front-foot and he’s a very versatile boxer.

“We teach all aspects of this game for every different occasion.

“If you’ve just got plan A and you’ve not got plans B, C and D, then you’re pretty much stuck.

“You’ve got to be able to do it all and that’s why, when were in the gym, we spent hours in there, because you don’t become a good fighter overnight.

“It’s about little steps making big strides.

"Hughie is coming on leaps and bounds in his training and he has got a good stable around him.

“I’m sure that in the not too distant future, he’ll be one that the young kids in the gym will be looking up to as well.”

The four-some of professionals now in Henry’s Gym will be able to inspire each other, Wharton reckons.

“I think what is going to happen is that they’re all going to help each other, like me and my stable-mates did when we were young pros training in Leeds,” continued Wharton.

“We all came through at the same time and we shared those bills with one another. I want them all to gain their own hometown support.

"Not a lot of people know these kids and these young men but, I believe in these guys.

"I believe that in the next two years or so, these guys are going to be faces of Sky television, that’s how good I believe these guys are. I want the people of York to really get behind them, like they have been doing already. Follow them and enjoy the journey.”