By Terence Dooley

Chris Sanigar has spoken about his joy and pride after guiding his charge Lee Haskins, 32-3 (14), to the interim IBf bantamweight title via a sixth-round stoppage over Japan's Ryosuke Iwasa at Bristol's Whitchurch Sports Centre last weekend.  Sanigar manages Britain’s latest title-holder and is especially happy that the win has brought some much needed sporting success to the city.

“What Lee Haskins has achieved shows you can be from Bristol and still be successful,” he said when speaking to the Bristol Post.  “Lee has done something amazing at world level and shown that you can reach the top if you are prepared to dedicate yourself and work hard.”

Indeed, Sanigar believes that the win has shown that hard work and faith pays off if you are persistent; he hopes that it will help kick-start a boxing scene in the area.

He said: “He started out at the Empire gym as an amateur when he was a kid and look at him now—champion of the world at the age of 32.  If that doesn't inspire youngsters in Bristol to take up sport, then I don't know what will.”

The former British and European champion secured his win with a stunning sixth-round stoppage to bring the number of British fighters who hold some version of a world title to eight, a remarkable career turnaround since his losses to Tshifhiwa Munyai (TKO 6), Ian Napa (RTD 7) and Stephane Jamoye (TKO 8).

Please send news and views to @Terryboxing.