A BOXER who trains in Bolton is auctioning off the chance to walk out to the ring with him at his backyard bout holding his prestigious championship belt.

Professional puncher Luke 'Robbo' Blackledge trains at Elite Boxing in Wordsworth Street, Halliwell, and is to make a defence of his Commonwealth super-middleweight title on May 13 at the Macron Stadium.

The 25-year-old is on the undercard for the headline match-up of Jack Catterall, a Bolton Wanderers fan, against rival Joe Hughes.

Luke's trainer Alex Matvienko, the head professional boxing coach at Elite Boxing, said: "Luke who found boxing as his saviour from a rough background which included serving a jail sentence at a young age is looking to inspire youngsters like himself to look up to him and show them with the right guidance.

"He is offering an auction for the highest bidder to walk out holding his commonwealth title at the Macron and the money raised will buy tickets that will be given out throughout the younger community at local boxing clubs and youth clubs.

"He is hoping he can raise enough money so that he can get a lot of the kids to come and watch a live event and get the buzz to do something with their lives even if it's not boxing.

"The person who bids the most money can benefit in several ways including wearing a T-shirt, if a local business has sponsored to advertise, signed posters and gloves as well as two ringside tickets."

Bidding for the belt-carrying experience begins at £1,000.

The boxing features Accrington-born Luke's sparring partner and unbeaten prospect Jack Flatley, of Farnworth, who was last year’s ABA finalist and is now unbeaten in three professional fights.

Promoter Frank Warren is behind the 'Friday The 13th' spectacular, dubbed 'Jack's Back', and tickets are now available.

The evening will be broadcast live on Warren's subscription sports channel BoxNation.

Luke's fight comes less than a week after Bolton's own boxing hero Amir Khan challenges Canelo Alvarez for the WBC middleweight crown in Las Vegas.