Boxing champion Michael Alldis is fighting to be ready for his next big date.

The former British and European super-bantamweight champion from Crawley will be running the Flora London Marathon on April 23 after a change of heart.

Alldis, who is retired from boxing, had initially decided not to run due to injury but has now made a late decision after watching a television programme.

He said: "I had an injury and didn't run for four weeks. I was going to pull out but then I watched the progamme with Steve Cram and Sally Gunnell helping some unique people to run the Marathon - people who have had cancer and other illnesses.

"I thought to myself, if they can do it, so can I.

"I did the Worthing 20-mile recently in two hours 42 minutes and that has got me going again. I see this as a challenge in my life and that is just what I need.

"I am hoping to run it in under three hours but my preparations have not been great because of the injury."

Alldis will be running for a cancer hospice in Bromley in memory of a family member who he lost to the disease.

If anyone would like to sponsor him they can do so via: www.justgiving.com/michaelalldis.

Alldis is trying to forge a career training boxers and currently looks after Sussex pair Aaron Balmer and Anthony Young.