BRIAN Hughes is ready to take a step back from the front line after 40 years of distinguished service to Manchester boxing.

The Collyhurst and Moston Academy trainer has already lined up his former WBU light-welterweight champion Delroy Waul as his successor at the highly-successful gym.

And with WBF super-middleweight champ Robin Reid - who defends that title next Saturday - still providing the up-and-coming youngsters with a perfect role model, Hughes is happy that the Academy and the amateur club he has nourished with such care will be in good hands.

''Del is perfect for this club,'' Hughes said.

Role model

''He has the right image, a lovely manner and is already a full-time fitness instructor at a city centre gym. He doesn't smoke or swear and he doesn't mess about - and he is a very good teacher, something in short supply in boxing these days.

''He has already come into the gym as a trainer alongside Steve Goodwin and myself, but I hope eventually he will take over.''

Hughes received the MBE last year for his sterling community work with the amateur boxing club, but finds the politics of both the amateur and professional codes sickening.

And he was hurt by Anthony Farnell's defection to the Phoenix Camp after his first professional defeat by Takaloo in July.

''Hopefully now I can take a step back for the first time in 40 years,'' said Hughes. ''I hope to take a few weeks away from it, spend some more time with my wife and do a few things we have always wanted to do.

Put off by politics

''Del knows the politics of boxing from his time as a fighter, and doesn't want to get involved so I will probably carry on dealing with Frank Warren, while he does more coaching.''

Reid remains the senior professional at the gym, and will again link up with another former Olympic hero Audley Harrison when he fights at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow next week.

Harrison's promoter Jess Harding was still trying to fix up an opponent after the Argentinian he had lined up pulled out.

But Hughes is confident that the gym is in good shape: ''As well as Robbie, who is a tremendous influence on the kids, we have Michael Gomez.

''And then there are Thomas McDonagh and Michael Jennings who are coming along nicely and will start to fight for titles next year.

''We also have a brilliant 16-year-old light-middleweight called Matthew Hall from Langley Estate.

''He has boxed for England and won a few by knockout, but he has been a bit wild. He is a Joe Frazier type, bobbing and weaving his way in.

''I have had him sparring with Robbie, because I know Robbie will calm him down - he has that kind of influence on them all.''

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