THERE was a new face on the training ground at Wanderers this week – and it looks like he’ll be a knockout!

Heavyweight Hughie Fury was put through his paces at Lostock ahead of his British title fight against Norwich-based Sam Sexton at the Macron Stadium in the middle of May.

The 23-year-old went through some basic speed and footwork drills with first team sports scientist Kristian Aldred and Whites stars Andy Taylor, Will Buckley, Zach Clough and Craig Noone, then repaid the favour by bringing out the hand pads and testing what punching power his new team-mates had left.

Hughie – cousin of former unified world heavyweight champion Tyson – was impressed by what he saw from the Bolton Wanderers boys.

“You could tell a few of them had done some boxing before,” he said. “It was a good craic.

“It was nice to speak with the lads and check out some of the different training methods, see how other people work. When they invited me up here I said ‘yes’ right away.

“It’s nice to have a bit of fun away from the camp – but it’s back down to the hard work now and preparing for the big fight.”

With the winds whipping up on the open plains of the training pitch, it was not an afternoon for the timid. Fury was used to the conditions, and had been training in the Lakes with his father/trainer Peter Fury Even so, the 6ft 6ins Stockport-born fighter declined to remove his giant scarf throughout.

After warming-up with a jog around the all-weather pitch the speed punching was not to everyone’s tastes but Will Buckley was happy to go along with the flow.

“I can’t believe how quick you fatigue,” he told The Bolton News. “But I wasn’t telling him ‘no’ – I just did what he told me to. He’s a big lad. I wouldn’t want to mark him on corners, put it that way.

“It’s different to the kind of fitness work we do. But I think Hughie got an insight into the stuff we do too.

“It was something different and hopefully it gives the fight a bit of publicity because it should be a great night.”

The Macron has held boxing events in the past, most notably Amir Khan’s final fight as an amateur against Cuban legend Mario Kindelan in 2005, but will be given some exposure on terrestrial TV as Channel Five airs the May 12 fight live on May 12.

“It’s a feather in the cap for the club,” added Buckley. “We know it’s a great stadium for football but it’s good we can bring in big events. I hope plenty of fans come to see it live because it’ll be a good fight.”

Taylor, another of Wanderers’ boxing connoisseurs, would be happy to see some ring work worked into the pre-season routine.

“It’s something different and you can definitely use bits of in your training. Me and Nooney (Craig Noone) did that before at Cardiff City with Darren Wilson, Nathan Cleverly’s trainer – it’s a different type of fitness.

“We thoroughly enjoyed it because it isn’t too much work on your legs but it gets the blood pumping and you still keep yourself ticking over. I couldn’t go too mad, though, the gaffer probably wouldn’t be too impressed.”

Noone – whose rapid punching work caught the eye of the Fury camp – will be cheering his new sparring partner on when he takes to the ring.

“You can see how much hard work he puts into his fights,” the winger said. “I’ll be supporting him in May, definitely.”

Tickets for the fight, priced £40, £60 and £80 are available via Wanderers’ official website.