COMMONWEALTH gold medallists are not thick on the ground in St Albans, but their number could be increased to one in the coming weeks if Zambian boxer Kennedy Kenyata secures a work permit.

The 23-year-old flyweight was spotted at the Commonwealth Games by Paul Rees of the St Albans and London Colney Boxing Club, and the trainer now hopes to sign him up ahead of what should be a successful professional career.

"He's gone back to Zambia now," said Rees, "but we're trying to organise a work permit and set him up with some accommodation and a part-time job."

Kenyata has enjoyed an illustrious amateur career, with the Commonwealth gold medal, secured after a 25-12 points win over L Luza of Botswana, underlining the progress he has made since his quarter-final placing at the Sydney Olympics.

Should the move go ahead, the African would be a positive influence on James Yelland, who, with some luck, will fight for the British Bantam weight title before the end of the year.

Yelland will top the bill at the Posthouse Hotel in Glasgow on October 8, when he meets Anthony Hanna in what should be his final fight before a title shot against either current holder Nicky Booth or Jim Betts.

Hanna is a robust competitor who rarely gets stopped, but his best years are behind him and although it would be Yelland's first eight-round fight, Hanna should prove little more than stubborn.

His record of just 18 wins from 70 fights, most of which came early in his career, should not fill Yelland with dread, but Rees suggests caution against an opponent who was a contender for the British Flyweight belt.

"You have to be patient against him," said Rees. "If you try to take him apart, you'll just end up busting your hands on him."

The only doubt for Yelland, who returned to the gym this week, would be ring-rustiness, but Rees is hoping to organise an interim bout to offset this, probably on September 21 at the Brentwood Centre.