ELITE Gym trainer Alex Matvienko believes the up-and-coming young boxing stars in Bolton can make 2017 a year to remember.

The gym has enjoyed a prosperous 12 months with blossoming talent like Farnworth’s Jack Flatley and Halliwell’s Osman Aslam extending their unbeaten professional records to six and eight wins respectively.

Meanwhile, super middleweight Luke Blackledge, who fights out of the Halliwell gym, successfully defended his Commonwealth title before taking highly-rated British champion Callum Smith to the 10th round at Manchester Arena before walking on to a knockout punch.

Cruiserweight Paul Drago also lost his last outing in Germany against an impressive Artur Mann but earlier in the year he pulled off a shock sixth-round knockout win as underdog against Louis Cuddy.

It all adds up to a decent year for Matvienko and his fighters with even bigger things hoped for in the next 12 months.

The trainer told The Bolton News: “It has been a good year with some positive results.

“Paul had an upset win and did himself proud despite defeat in Germany while Luke also did well to retain his Commonwealth title.

“He got caught by a good punch against Callum Smith but took it to 10 rounds and when you think some felt he would not last two, to get within six minutes was a good display.

“Paul will be back next year and hopefully there are more big fights for both him and Luke.

“The young fighters impressed this year in particular like Osman and Jack.

“People are starting to notice who Osman is now.

“He’s growing huge in England and particularly in Bolton. Everyone’s talking about him and he has everyone including the Asian community behind him.

“Amir [Khan] probably has one or two fights left in him and he’ll be gone.

“Osman has the looks of Ronaldo and the speed of Amir – he’s ready to take on what Amir had left so 2017 is in for a treat.

“Then there is Jack who is gaining a good reputation after his four wins this year.

“He has been sparring with world title challengers and he is also improving all the time.

“So it’s been a good year for the gym and boxing is thriving in Bolton.

“It’s great youngsters have people to look up to like Osman and Jack – it is something we never had when we were kids.”