FORMER boxing champion Jamie Moore is recovering in hospital after being shot twice in the legs in Marbella.

The 35-year-old, from Walkden, was reportedly attacked in the Spanish town, where he is training Birmingham middleweight Matthew Macklin, over the weekend.

Mr Moore, a former European light-middleweight champion, is not believed to have suffered permanent damage but remains in hospital.

Mr Moore took to Twitter to reassure fans. He said: “It’s at times like this that you realise how well your thought of. I’ve had unbelievable support. Means a lot it really does.#BoxingFamily.”

In another message he said: “Thanks for all the well wishes. Overwhelmed. Gutted and confused about what happened, but thank God I’m ok.”

Mr Macklin, via Twitter, said: “Just to let everyone know Jamie Moore is still in hospital but he's ok.

“He was shot in his legs but the doctors have said there shouldn't be any serious or permanent damage done.”

Mr Macklin is now based in Marbella, where he has his own gym, and recently appointed Mr Moore as his trainer. The two men are former opponents, having engaged in an epic battle in 2006 which Mr Moore won by knockout.

Family man Mr Moore was reportedly shot at five times and hit twice, in the leg and hip.

In a career hampered by a niggling shoulder injury, he won the European title in 2009 and was on the verge of a world title challenge before retiring in 2010 on doctors' advice.

He moved into television punditry before recently trying his hand at training fighters, coaching Hull lightweight Tommy Coyle as well as world title challenger Mr Macklin.

Mr Coyle said on Twitter: “It's not my place to comment on my friend & trainer Jamie Moore's situation.

“Jamie is stable and will be ok that's all I can say right now.”