Professional boxer Danny Thornton, who has fought some of the best fighters in Europe, is now taking on one of his biggest challenges.

He has ploughed his savings into Rebel Gym at Camp Detox, based above Upper Wortley Conservative Club.

The 29-year-old supermiddleweight has completely renovated the upstairs gym, building girls' and boys' changing rooms, buying new training equipment and putting in new flooring to bring the club up to standard and making it Amateur Boxing Association affiliated.

He has also taken courses to become an ABA qualified coach and plans to run the gym as a social enterprise, ploughing all profits back into the club.

He said: "I have always wanted to do it, but I have never had the finances until now.

"I had five fights in a row and decided to put the money from them into this."

He is also applying for grants to help develop the club.

He said: "Boxing has kept me out of jail for the past 12 years and I want to do the same for these kids.

"When they come here they off are the streets and out of trouble for an hour or so.

"All the kids we have coming to the gym are from different back grounds but when they all come here to train."

Danny has a formidable record in the ring, with 26 wins, three draws and 12 defeats.

This month he will find out whether he will fight Paul Smith, who took part in the hit TV show The Contender.

Danny also has four professionals training at the gym and coaches with help from experienced trainer Derek 'The Rebel' Roach.

The club's name is a combination of their fighting names.