ALEK Penarski has been so impressed with the coaching he has had from top Thai boxing instructor, Sandy Holt, that he wants him in his corner when he makes his comeback bid.

Bolton's 46-year-old former light-heavyweight title contender has been training at Holt's Bolton Thai Boxing Club gym as he prepares to return to the ring for the first time in almost a decade. Now the pair have teamed up.

"We've been working together for three weeks and Alek's got used to hearing my voice from the corner," explained Holt, who won British and European Thai boxing titles.

"I've shown him a few training routines and stretching exercises that we use and he's taken them on board. He looks in good shape.

"I was in the crowd at Silverwell Street for his last fight so I feel highly honoured that he has asked me to be in his corner."

Penarksi, who fought Denis Andries and Tom Collins for the British light-heavyweight title when he was at his peak, is warming up for a £5,000 winner-take-all clash with Salford's Wayne "Mad Dog" Barker for the vacant British Boxing Federation cruiserweight title.

The bout takes place at Manchester's Piccadilly Hotel on Monday, September 10 - not next Monday as published in yesterday's edition.