A FORMER Devizes schoolboy who earned fame as a boxer has been named as an international ambassador for his adopted city of Bristol.

Chris Sanigar was given the honour by Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees and he will now represent Bristol on his travels looking at ways to promote the city and forge partnerships with other towns.

It is a long way from growing up in Cromwell Road, Devizes and attending Southbroom schools before moving to Bristol aged 17.

Over the past 40 years he gained world recognition, firstly as a boxer representing England as an amateur and then having a highly respected professional career, boxing all over the world culminating in winning the Southern Area title in 1981.

Following his own boxing career, Chris went on to become a trainer, manager and promoter forging many champions from the West Country and South Wales including three World Champions in Bristol’s Glenn Catley and Lee Haskins along with South Wales’ Lee Selby.

He is now president of boxing charity Empire Fighting Chance and recently met Prince Harry who supports its work.

Mr Sanigar still regularly returns to Devizes to see his brother Andrew and sister Ruth and to visit St James Church.