BRITISH boxing champion Ady Lewis will defend his title in his home town.

Bury Council have agreed the 21-year-old can defend his British Flyweight title against Liverpudlian Peter Culshaw at Castle Leisure Centre in May.

But they have still to formally lift a ban imposed in 1995 after the death of boxer James Murray.

A delighted Ady said: "I'm just grateful that I can fight this fight in Bury. It's going to make a real difference and it means I can focus on training now.

"I hope the fight will prove to be a good advert for boxing as a sport and help persuade the council to give its approval in the future." Ady, of Windsor Drive, Bury, added: "I'd like to thank the Bury Times for all its help and support in making the public aware of the issue."

Councillors on the contract services sub-committee gave the fight the green light when they met on Wednesday, but said a final decision on the current ban will have to be made by the full council.

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