Colne fighter thanks fans after title win (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Colne fighter thanks fans after title win

6:04pm Monday 11th March 2013 in Sport By Matt Donlan, Sports reporter

CHAMPION boxer Shayne Singleton says he want to thank every one of his fans personally after they turned a corner of Manchester into a home from Colne as he won the English light welterweight title.

More than 300 fans from the town backed the 23-year-old as he beat former footballer Curtis Woodhouse on points, despite having to fight for eight rounds with a broken left hand.

And even more fans bombarded his phone with too many congratulations messages for Singleton to reply to with thousands also taking to the internet to praise the new champion.

“They were astonishing all night – they are the best anyone could hope for,” said Singleton.

“I looked at my phone on Saturday morning and I had 600 text messages and thousands of mentions on Facebook and Twitter.

“I was feeling bad because as soon as I started to reply, more messages were coming in. There were just too many messages to reply to.

“I just want them to know how much they mean to me. The title is for them as much as anyone.”

Singleton is the first man from Burnley or Pendle to hold a major title, and the new champion plans to celebrate with a break in Tenerife.

“I broke my hand and got a few cuts so I am going to get my wounds sorted and go on holiday,” he said.