AMERICAN boxers arrive today to take on young fighters from one of the country's top clubs.

Sporting rivalries will be set aside until Friday night, when the visitors from Chicago will test their skills in the ring against fighters from Spennymoor Boxing Academy.

Tonight, the Chicago boxers are being given a civic reception by Spennymoor Town Council. A trip to Beamish Museum is planned for tomorrow, following a lunch with senior members of Durham County Council.

Fight night at Spennymoor Leisure Centre has been a sell-out for weeks and organisers predict a close competition.

The visit was arranged after Spennymoor were given a warm welcome by the Chicago Golden Gloves at the end of last year.

The Durham club spent months making arrangements and raising much of the £4,200 they needed to pay for their December trip.

In the past they have put in similar efforts to take teams of young fighters to Canada and New Zealand.

Secretary Paul Hodgson said the exchanges had been fantastic opportunity for the boys.

He said: "Sport has given us the chance to travel all over the world and a lot of thanks go to coach Robert Ellis who has done a great job in making it all possible.

"America is one of the world's top three boxing nations. All countries have individual styles and we are very lucky to be able to broaden our experience with this sort of competition."

The visitors are watching football on Saturday and flying home on Monday. They are staying at Whitworth Hall.