VIDEO: Sheffield charity boxer '˜beats' former world champion!

But David Wroe decided he’d join the battle by getting stuck in...against a former world champion boxer.

The 41-year-old project planner from North Anston went three rounds with Sheffield’s former IBF world title holder Clinton Woods, at the boxer’s gym in Westfield. It went to a split decision - but Wroe was given the nod in a decidedly-biased judges’ decision.

Effectively, it was Round One in Lee Brown’s fight against cancer - and there are more events to support him to come.

Lee, a former Dinnington Comprehensive School pupil, discovered in February that he is suffering from a rare type of sarcoma in his digestive system.

In June, Lee was told by his specialist at Weston Park Hospital that the 26cm tumour had shrunk to 10cm. And he was well enough to watch the spectacle at Clinton’s gym.

Lee said: “It was great to see such a turn out. That was something special.”

The family man said he felt more inspired to conquer his illness. “I didn’t think I had it in me to take it on with such a positive attitude.”

He said Weston Park who had stressed how important positivity was. “So I have had a good go at it and have had a 75% shrinkage in my tumour already. I think that shows it is working, so I will definitely be continuing with this positive attitude. I encourage anybody else with the same diagnosis to go in with the same kind of attitude.”

David described the pummelling he received was “frightening, terrifying.”

But he added: “It was a brilliant experience I just hope we have raised lots of money.”

He said they were trying to fund some clinical trials to assist research as well as helping by engendering a positive environment around his friend.