AN EX-BOXER has launched a fight for his job and reputation.

Pub manager John Lowe, a former middleweight, admits he is on the ropes against a police bid to have his public entertainment licence removed.

He faces an impending crown court trial for affray, a charge he "vehemently'' denies, following an incident at De Niros, Middlesbrough, last December, which he manages.

That incident came only days after the unrelated death of reveller Mark Thirsk who was attacked as he danced with his girlfriend in the premises which at 11pm switches from being a pub to a nightclub.

Now, he is having to defend himself against police claims that he is not "a fit and proper person to hold a public entertainment licence".

He said: "I am very upset about it. Obviously the stress is affecting my job. I am not doing office work as I did do.

"I felt so weighed down by it all last week, I felt like topping myself I was so run down.

"I have only five years to go to retirement. If I lose the affray case I will get the sack, lose my pension, everything.

"I have been in the licensed trade for 25 years and I have never been in court before," said the 55-year-old grandfather."

His solicitors have appealed to Middlesbrough Council to adjourn a decision on an application for renewal of a public entertainment licence at De Niros until after the crown court proceedings, but the matter will be discussed by the Licensing Committee next Monday.

Cleveland Police contend there were ten crimes reported at De Niros in January, February and March this year, the majority being assaults.

Mr Lowe said: "You get more trouble in your domestic kitchen at home."

He said the force's contention that he was unfit to hold a licence was an unjust slur. His customers agree. Unbidden by him, they have raised a petition in his support.