Former British and Commonwealth super-bantamweight champion Michael Alldis is to train and manage two of Sussex's brightest young prospects in the professional ranks.

Middleweights Anthony Young, of Crawley Amateur Boxing Club, and Aaron Balmer, of Adur and District, are applying to go professional and will be promoted by Eugene and Frank Maloney's Fight Factory.

Alldis, 37, said: "I will manage and train my fighters and the Maloneys will promote them.

"They are the promoters who are calling the shots now and for anyone to turn pro in this day and age they need a good promoter behind them to get them coverage.

"I am trying to give southern area fighters a chance to work with a decent manager and promoters.

"What I want to do is try to bridge the gap between the southern area and London.

"There are decent amateurs in Sussex but they turn pro and don't seem to do the right things.

"I still have a good name in the sport and I am going to use that and, hopefully, build a good start for these boxers and continue from there.

"It is a cliche but I have been there, seen it, done it and got the T-shirt. I hope to get them up to my level and beyond."

Young, 21, is hovering just outside the Four Nations amateur rankings top 20 on results following last season while Balmer, 23, has caught Alldis' eye.

Alldis, from Crawley, said: "I know Anthony from Crawley ABC and have seen Aaron box and believe he has an excellent style for the pro game.

"I took them both to the Fight Factory to spar in front of Frank and Eugene and they were most impressed."

It can be a slow process climbing the ladder in the pro game and Alldis is hoping to get sponsors for his fighters to help their first steps in return for their companies appearing on the boxer's kit.

Anyone interested in sponsorship should contact Alldis on 0870 9220347.