ANTHONY Farnell aims to be a cha-cha-champion when he makes his first bid for a 'world' boxing title in Manchester next month.
For the rough, tough fighter who calls himself ''The Warrior'' has added another element to his punishing training regime - a spot of Latin dancing.
Once a week, after spending the day in the blood and sweat of the Collyhurst and Moston gym, he packs away the gloves and heads for the more genteel world of Mildred Bardsley's Dance School in Oldham.
Farnell has taken plenty of good-natured stick from his pals and fellow boxers, but is quite happy to take it all.
He fights Iranian ace Takaloo for the WBU light-middleweight title at Manchester's Velodrome on July 7 - and if he lifts that belt, all the flak will have been worth it.
The unusual idea came from trainer Brian Hughes, who is intent on improving his charge's footwork.
Farnell told M.E.N. Sport: ''Brian came up to me in the gym and said he had booked me in for Latin dancing lessons. I thought he was having a laugh, but he said that if I want to be world champion I have to do whatever it takes.
''People can take the mickey as much as they want - the joking will stop when I lift that belt above my head on July 7.
''I was sweating when I first went to Mildred's dance school, but now I have really got into it. It's not slow ballroom stuff, but dances that need quick footwork.
''The thing I do wrong mostly in the ring is my footwork, and this is improving it a lot.
''A few of the older guys at the school have told me that old-time greats like Sugar Ray Robinson all did this kind of thing, so I am in good company.''
Trainer Hughes got the idea from the old Collyhurst fighters of the 30s - men like Johnny King, Jock McAvoy and Jackie Brown were all accomplished dancers as well as fighters, and swore that the two things complimented each other.
Now Farnell aims to test the theory against Margate-based Iranian Takaloo, and the 5,500 capacity Velodrome is a near sell-out for the night of action which also features Ricky Hatton's first defence of his WBU light-welterweight title.
- JAMIE Moore will fight for the vacant WBU international light-middleweight title on the Velodrome bill. The 22-year-old unbeaten Salford southpaw's opponent is yet to be named.