TALENTED junior boxers from Furness are set join fighters from the UK and Europe at the Lord Lonsdale Box Cup.

The tournament which takes place from May 31 to June 3, has been planned to honour the oldest championship belt in the sport - created in Cumbria.

Started in 1909, the Lonsdale Belt was set up by Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale, who was a big boxing fan.

He had residences at both Lowther, near Penrith, and Whitehaven Castle and was the founding member of the National Sporting Club.

The National Sporting Club was responsible for boxing events in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Organiser of the event, Steve Sharkey, described the reasoning behind it.

He said: "After being in boxing for 35 years, I realised boxing clubs up and down the country weren't aware that the Lonsdale Belt originated in Cumbria.

"So I asked them if we could hold the Lonsdale Belt there. I wanted to educate the boxing clubs and people about Lord Lonsdale.

"It is a good thing for boxing and for anyone who wants to watch it."

The event will will play host to 300 boxers of various ages and weights. Boxers aged 11 to 18 can take part, with various weight categories available. Competitors must be between 28kg and 90kg.

It is also a requirement that boxers have not competed in more than 40 contests, so that those with less experience still have a chance to compete. Boxers with more experience will be added to next year's competition.

The event will take place at the Lowther Estate, Penrith.

Barrow ABC head coach Jeff Moses will be heading north with several of the Brook Street club's promising junior fighters.

Unbeaten sixteen-year-old Brandon Smith will be lacing up his gloves in confident mood, having now five bouts of out five in his fledgling career to date. Smith will joined by sisters Jaye and Jersey Helyer, Ella Gill, Ethan Holt, Xander Parramore, Lewis Smith and Lewis Symon.

"We are looking forward to it," said Moses. “It will be a boxing cup kind of competition where everyone competes with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final in different weight categorie. Hopefully we can finish the season on a a high.”

Added Starkey: "People are travelling from as far as Aberdeen and all the way from the south.

"There will be 300 boxers. It has really grabbed the attention of boxing and the local economy has seen a boost of about £60,000.

"In amateur boxing there are so many championships, everyone is very busy. I knew it would be a last minute thing. We are now getting about 12 boxers signing up each day."

The format will see the majority of boxers weighed in on Thursday, with some room left for those who can't make it to be weighed on Friday.

Friday will then see qualifying rounds and the quarter-final stage of the competition. On Saturday the semi-final will take place, with the event to conclude on the Sunday with the final.

Winners of each respective belt will not actually receive the belt unless they successfully retain their belt in the following year.

They will then pick up the Rox Sport Lord Lonsdale Amateur Box Cup Belt. Each day there will be three boxing rings fighting at one time, meaning fans of the sport will be spoilt for choice.

Three day passes for the event are available for £35 plus booking fee and it is £30 plus booking fee for a two day pass.

Tickets can also be purchased to see various weights...

Of the event, Lord Lonsdale said: "We are really pleased to host the Lord Lonsdale Box Cup.

"It is an exciting opportunity for the young emerging boxers in Cumbria and we look forward to welcoming them to the Lonsdale Estates."

To find out more about the event, to sign up to fight, or to buy tickets, visit lordlonsdaleamateurboxcup.co.uk.

Meanwhile, junior training sessions at Barrow ABC continue to be a smash hit.

The Brook Street gym is a hive of activity on Monday and Friday evenings as dozens of keen youngsters are given expert instruction by head coach Jeff Moses and his dedicated team.

Barrow Mayor, Councillor Tony Callister, witnessed a recent Friday night training session, and the head of the Barrow AFC performance centre was impressed by the talent and dedication on display.

Also at the gym that night were two professional graduates from Barrow ABC – reigning English light-heavyweight champion Liam Conroy and unbeaten pro Ross Cooksey – and they autographed boxing gloves, talked to the kids and answered questions from inquisitive youngsters.

Moses said the training sessions – where juniors are schooled on their on tactics and technique and put through their paces to boost fitness levels – are proving as popular as ever.

“We are getting 40 or 50 young kids coming down every week. We've got a steady flow which is great,” he said.

“We also get about 35 teenagers down on a Monday. It's a busy old spot.”