CONGRATS go out to Birmingham's own Wayne Elcock, the genial middleweight boxer who lifted the British crown from the long-reigning champion, Howard Eastman, in Coventry recently.

I had the privilege of spending some time with Wayne at his gym a little while back and found him to be an all-round, right-on kind of guy.

Wayne is on a mission to bring big-time boxing back to our city and we couldn't wish for a better exponent of the noble art.

When we met, Wayne was planning a comeback after losing his last fight in something of a shock to an unrated opponent. I think even Wayne would admit that his future prospects were not looking too great at the time.

Boxers are often stereotyped for behaving badly, but I didn't get any rudeness, aggression or attitude from him – only a real determination to get his career back on track. And now he's done it!

I know a lot of people have a problem with boxing and the violence involved, but so often those folks are influenced by the disgraceful, criminal antics of the likes of Naseem Hamed or Mike Tyson. The whole sport should not be condemned because of them, when there are quality blokes like Wayne around.

There are more examples of youngsters who were straightened out by boxing and go on to become valuable members of the community than those who go wrong.

We hear so much about Amir Khan and the great things he's doing around his local community in Bolton. What about Wayne?

Wayne hasn't won an Olympic medal but he's a class act – just ask the players at the Sunday league football team he manages in Shard End or the students at the schools he gives talks to in East Brum.

Wayne hasn't got international recognition or millions in the bank (yet) but money can't buy class.

So big respect to Wayne Elcock, Birmingham's the new British middleweight champion!

Who says nice guys finish last?

See you in a fortnight!