RYAN Watson is already making plans for his growing crop of boxers after his gym in Marton was granted affiliation to amateur governing body England Boxing.

Former professional Watson opened the gym at his family home around 18 months ago and his work has culminated in him now being able to send boxers out to compete under the banner of his gym rather than having to be carded by other clubs.

The 32-year-old hopes to be able to enter some of the club’s members in next year’s Development Championships and is glad he can move on to the next stage of development.

“It’s a big achievement because it’s the first boxing club in Ulverston to be affiliated,” said Watson.

“It’s a big achievement and we’re really happy to be able to get going with it now. We had everything in place and we’re just glad now that it’s all done.

“We can enter into the ABA championships as well, which is a big thing. A lot of them have been itching to get going with the ABA, so it’s brilliant.”

Previously, those who were training out of Watson’s gym , such as teenager Ethan Brierley, went under the guise of Morecambe Coastal ABC.

But they will now be able to represent Watson Boxing and around 15 members at both junior and senior level are waiting on their medical examinations before they can step into the ring for real.

“They’ve just been waiting for us to get affiliated, so now we’ve been passed off we can get the lads carded now,” said Watson.

“We’re just getting them to see the doctor for their medicals and once they’re carded, they’ll be out boxing.

“We’re not in a rush to get people in ABAs. We want to get them winning then look at the novice championship for them in the near future.”

Meanwhile, Brett McDermott’s plans to join the professional boxing ranks have been put on hold due to work commitments.

The former Barrow Raiders player and mixed martial arts champion had his first boxing match on Watson’s charity show in Ulverston earlier this year and impressed when invited to spar with up-and-coming heavyweight Nathan Gorman in Manchester.

But Watson, who is training McDermott at his gym, revealed he is biding his time for now while work in his business as a coal supplier takes priority over the winter months.

“At the moment, he’s been that busy with work because it’s the busy time of year with coal,” said Watson.

“He’s been down at training, but at the moment he’s just getting on top of his work then he’s looking at getting back into it.”