YAQOOB Hussain has always relished a good scrap but now he has taken on the biggest fight of his boxing career.

And it is a fight he is determined to win.

The experienced and well respected coach, judge and referee has achieved his long term ambition to find his own boxing premises - but now the real battle begins.

However, Yaqoob is willing to go the distance to make his latest venture a success but is appealing to the community to help him realise his dream.

The 53-year-old set up Audley Police Boxing Club in Blackburn five years ago but it has now out-grown its existing home at Audley Community Centre.

Yaqoob has found new premises at Perserverance Mill on Thornley Avenue - premises that could do with a revamp - before he moves the ever growing club to its new home.

The former boxer always knew the community centre was a temporary measure but it has taken him this long to find premises that were suitable.

"The community centre has been good for us but it is not a boxing club," said Yaqoob. "The club is there for the whole community so it means we have to set up and take down our equipment every time we train. Obviously, this is not ideal.

"Currently, we only train twice a week but once the new premises are up to scratch we will be able to use it seven days a week."

The new club will be renamed Blackburn with Darwen Academy to encompass what Yaqoob is trying to achieve.

"It is a name the kids came up with," added Yaqoob. "We want it to be a club for everyone in the borough and I think the new name will reflect that."

However, there is a lot of work to be done before Yaqoob and his boxers can call Perserverance Mill home - and he is appealing to local businesses to help out.

"This is very exciting but also very frustrating," added Yaqoob. "I would love to get in there tomorrow and start coaching but we know there is work to be done on the premises first.

"Ideally, we would like to see businesses in the area come forward and help us out.

"We are all willing to role our sleeves up and get stuck in but we need some financial and professional assistance. I'm looking at different ways to try and attract funding but it would be wonderful if the community could help."

Yaqoob said the new premises need rewiring, plumbing and a new central heating system installed as well as general maintenance.

The club, which has 22 registered fighters on its books and 80 members, already has all the equipment.

"We've got the ring, the pads, the gloves and punch bags, we just need somewhere to put them all.

"It's like having all the tools but no garage to put them in."

Yaqoob said moving to new premises is vital to take the club to the next stage.

He said: "At the moment, we have a waiting list. I want to start up classes for six to 10-year-olds and a women's class something I just can't do at the moment."

Yaqoob has been in the sport for 34 years but sees this as his biggest challenge yet.

"I know it is gong to be difficult and a hard slog," added Yaqoob. "But I want to be able to walk in to the boxing club and see the ring set up, pictures on the wall and for it to smell like a boxing club."

Anyone who can help, should contact Yaqoob on 07787 570173.