LEGEND Marco Antonio Barrera has praised the efforts of Worcester City Amateur Boxing Club coaches after visiting the gym.

The 37-year-old Mexican, two-time world super bantamweight champion and the only fighter to beat Naseem Hamed during his career, met fighters on Saturday.

He was given a tour of the Vincent Road facility, watched some sparring sessions and also posed for pictures.

An interpreter for the boxer said: “It makes him happy to know there are people working with the young lads like they did with him when he was a boy.

“Many of the trainers forget about the kids, they just want the pros to make money and he would like to thank the club and give them credit for doing this kind of work.

“It gives him so much joy to see all of the young boxers training and working towards their dream.”

Barrera’s visit was organised by Mo Hussain, a friend of the boxer who has links with the club.

Worcester coach Steve Brown said: “The buzz over the past week has been fantastic.

“He’s done more than any coach could do in turning up. These boys will be in the gym this week and they will be fired up and remember this for the rest of their lives.”