WEST Leeds professional boxer Josh Wisher recently returned to Horsforth School as swim gala guest presenter.

"I was delighted to be invited," said Wisher, "I’d attended for the January sponsored swim on behalf of heart-screening charity CRY raising £250, and I managed 70 lengths. This time I presented medals and trophies to about 40 swimmers aged 12 through 18 and competed in individual races against five of the older swimmers. My best performance was coming second in the breaststroke race."

"We were pleased that after visiting school to speak to GCSE and ‘A’ level students about what being an elite athlete requires, Josh was keen to make the presentations at what may well be our last school gala for the foreseeable as I retire shortly," said swim organiser James Bovington, who has arranged over a hundred school galas since 1996. "It was emotional saying good-bye to the swimmers, but retirement will allow me to concentrate on working with Josh and other boxers as their unofficial agents."

Collaborating with schools is a major objective for Wisher who explained: "At my gym Armley’s The Ministry of Boxing we’re always looking for new opportunities for more people to learn boxing techniques to improve fitness and maybe compete. Getting boxing back into schools to complement other sports like swimming is a worthy objective. One that we plan to explore as a physical activity for all and a competitive opportunity for those who want. Many agree that there is no better way for a young person to prove what they’re made of than in boxing becoming proud they know they can handle themselves with courage and skill. Amateur boxing is as safe as any other school sport."

Twenty-four-year-old super middleweight Wisher next boxes at Elland Road on June 24th.

He added: "I recently had the honour of meeting my role model former world champion Joe Calzaghe. He’s always inspired me to believe that professional boxing is about winning. I intend to win my next fight and all future longer more challenging fights. I respect opponents but I also intend to send a message to boxers higher up my weight class as to exactly what power, skill and determination they will face when boxing me. I can’t wait to show everyone just what I will do to reach the top."

Any individual or business wanting to sponsor Josh Wisher can best contact him on Facebook at Joshwisherboxing.