THERE was no show without punch at one time in Macclesfield when boxing was a major sport in the town.

During the tough days of the twenties and thirties there were clashes staged at the Moss Rose Football Club, the Drill Hall, the Trade Hall, Prestbury Road ice-rink, and Park Green Amateur Sporting Club.

A principal venue for bouts was at the Macclesfield Fair - a 'booth' run by entrepreneur Len Johnson whom, in his heyday, was a welterweight equalling the fame of national heroes Jack Hood and Len Harvey.

Here, in between billed bouts, contenders from the crowds would take on the professionals and work spectators into a frenzy.

Onlookers would loudly cheer approval when a volunteer - most likely filled with beer-induced bravado - would hit the deck in a puddle of blood, sweat and humiliation.

Today, 80 years on, one local man - the son of a fighting legend - has put on his gloves in a bid to bring boxing back to the town.

Jeremy Hough - known affectionately as Jez - helps run Macclesfield Boys' Boxing Club in Paradise Mill on Old Mill Lane and desperately wants to see a revival.

His dream is not to bring back the fighting 'circus' but the serious aspect of a sport he has been reared on. His father was Johnny Hough - a champion fighter.

Today at the boxing club there are only about 12 members - the youngest aged about eight and the eldest 23 - but the spirit is high and the enthusiasm strong. Some of the boys have huge potential on the amateur circuit.

"We do need more support," said Jez, 40, who lives with wife Carole and son Jonathan, eight, in Beech Lane.

"You don't have to get knocked about to take part. The club is more about keeping fit, discipline and team spirit. It's great fun and everyone who comes loves it."

Jez, works alongside other committee members and coaches Kevin Bradbury, Gary White, Marvin Hough and Simon Thomson to encourage and train the kids and maintain the high standards of a cash-strapped club which now has Amateur Boxing Association status.

It isn't easy when equipment gets damaged, but they are hoping a local company might come forth and sponsor them.

"I would dearly love to see boxing return to the town in all its glory," said Jez. "We could have bouts at the leisure centre."

The coaches also see the sport as a positive means of keeping bored youngsters off the streets - a way of channelling aggression and a means to instilling the finer qualities of pride and responsibility into its members.

In 1922 Macclesfield and Bollington had eight or nine boxing clubs and by 1952 there were a total of 1,500 professional fighters in Britain licensed by the British Boxing Board of control.

World champions and top-liners had made appearances in Macclesfield

Then for some inexplicable reason the sport hit a crisis.

By the late Seventies the number of licensed boxers had plummeted to just 300.

"It probably has a lot to do with television," said Jez. "It's a tough contender when it comes to getting bums on seats."

In the old days fight nights were promoted by town champion Sir Philip Brocklehurst and other sponsors.

"Macclesfield literally buzzed during those times," said Jez. "We need to drum up the same enthusiasm. The lads are keen and we are keen. But we cannot do what we want to do without financial support."

He added: "To teach the art of self-defence, boxing, properly supervised, us a great character builder and engenders great team spirit."

Ernie Foden - the 1938 army featherweight champion - once said: "One of my most cherished dreams would be to see a well run and organised boxing club for youngsters started up in Macclesfield."

Sixty years on Jez and his supporters are getting there.

Anyone who would like to sponsor the club should contact them on 01625 265572.

And anyone who is interested in joining should attend sessions which are from 7pm-8.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and on Sunday mornings.

The club is also searching for a non-executive president.