YACOUB Hussain was just one fight away from fulfilling his dream to box for England.

But it wasn't a case of a career crushing defeat...his opponent simply didn't turn up!

Now some 25 years later Yacoub is looking to fulfil his dream through a new breed of boxer -- his young starlets at his Audley Amateur Boxing Club.

Yacoub recalls the day his dreams ended in tatters.

"I've always aimed for the top and I always wanted to box for England," said Yacoub whose 65 fight boxing career spanned five years. "The then England coach Kevin Hickey was very interested in me and came to watch me box.

"I was all ready to go but my opponent didn't turn up. Unfortunately that is one of the things that happens in amateur boxing."

While Yacoub's dream came and went there has been very little he hasn't achieved since taking up the sport nearly 30 years ago

For as well as eventually starting up his own club earlier this year, Yacoub is an England Amateur Boxing Association advanced coach, a regional judge and referee.

Not bad for someone who decided to give boxing 'a go' as a 19-year-old.

He said: "I used to work in a local mill in Blackburn and I used to be in to arm wrestling and that sort of thing. Then one of the lads mention a boxing gym in Haslingden so we decided to go along.

"He lasted about six months and I'm still involved!"

Yacoub showed his dedication to the sport from the outset. Catching two buses to get to Haslingden three times a week for five years just underlined what boxing meant to him.

"It was something I took to straight away. The coaches there were great and taught me a lot," said Yacoub who trained for four months before his first ever fight.

His entire 65 fight career, which brought him 45 victories, lasted while he was at Haslingden -- and saw him fight in two Divisional championships.

Unfortunately, he came up against England boxer John Trainor on both occasions. Another case of so near, so far.

When Yacoub married and with it came family responsibilities, he could no longer put in the hours of dedication to keep himself fighting fit.

But rather than walk away he decided to turn to coaching.

"I wanted to put something back in to the sport. I knew I couldn't fight any more so I decided to give coaching a go."

Yacoub joined Hyndburn ABC as a assistant coach to former pro boxer Roy Matthers. He didn't waste much time in getting up the coaching ladder and in 1985 became a full coach himself.

In the meantime, Yacoub moved nearer to home and joined Livesey Amateur Boxing Club.

He then took on his greatest fight outside of the ring and that was his Senior Coaches Certificate.

"Mentally, that was a tougher fight than any I had every had in the ring," said Yacoub who had to go to Crystal Palace for a week long training course. "My mind was in tatters after that. It took me a good few days to recover from that week!

"For it wasn't just about coaching boxers, it was all about physiotherapy, nutrition, psychology and fitness. That was a tough course."

Yacoub passed and not to be undaunted, went for his Advanced Coaching certificate as soon as the minimum two years was up. He passed that as well.

After two years at Livesey, Yacoub moved on to the YMCA Boxing Club.

"They did not have a coach at the time and I decided it was time to head to pastures new. I time for me to accept another challenge."

Yacoub's stint at the YMCA lasted five years before accepting a coaching position in Bury. He finally returned home when he realised his dream of opening his own club could soon be reality. And Audley Amateur Boxing Club was the result

He said: "I live in the Audley area and I always wanted to open a boxing club for the community. A lot of work went in to it and we talked to the local people, community leaders and the police. Eventually it was given the go ahead."

Based at Audley Community Centre, the opened its doors April of this year.

Yacoub is indebted to the help he has received to help fulfil that dream.

From Blackburn with Darwen Council for providing the premises, and the council's Regeneration Department for providing the funding for the equipment. He also thank community centre staff and local people for their support.

The club currently has five boxers in Wasim Ahmed, Bash Khan, Yasir Khan, Assan Khan and Dudley Pound.

And if one of them does not go on to fight for England, the Yacoub is hell bent that one of his young fighters will.

"Just as I did as a boxer, I aim for the top as a coach. I would love to see one of my boxers go on and represent England and that has got to be my aim.

"I want to encourage the youngsters from the area to come and box. I believe that sport is for everyone. And if young boxers have got it in them then I will do my best to get it out of them."

The club will be taking a team of boxers to the prestigious Hancock Box Cup in Denmark and thanks to Malik Travel in Whalley Range will be sporting some smart tracksuits.

You might have thought Yacoub would be content to settle with what he has achieved so far -- but far from it. For Yacoub has aims for the club and for himself.

For he will love to see, the club housed in its very own venue while he wants to get on to the England Major Panel of Judges.

He said: "I am very grateful to Audley Community Centre for letting us use the centre but it means we can't always put the ring up.

"Boxing without a ring is just not the same so I would love it if some local business would like to sponsor us and help us find our own premises."

And considering what Yacoub has achieved so far don't doubt him achieving another goal -- and getting on to the England Major Panel of Judges!