Michael Brodie on remand after drugs bust

Manchester's former British, Commonwealth and European super-bantamweight champion Michael Brodie is in prison after cocaine believed to be worth more than a quarter of a million pounds was found in a car.

Brodie, 37, from Collyhurst was arrested along with Paul Gairns, 33, from Gorton after police officers stopped a white Vauxhall Astra on the M61.

Both men have been charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply and will appear at Preston Crown Court next month for a plea hearing.  

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "The car was searched and drugs were seized. The driver and the passenger were both arrested on suspicion of drugs offences and were subsequently charged with possession of cocaine with intent to supply."

Brodie, whilst never achieving cross over fame, was a firm favourite with British fight fans at his peak, which came in the late nineties and early noughties.  

A tough warrior who had a fine career, he came up agonisingly short in two heroic attempts at winning a 'world' title, going down to Willie Jorrin by majority decision for the WBC super-bantamweight belt in 2000 then, most memorably, drawing with In-Jin Chi in 2003 for the featherweight version.

His chance had gone; he was stopped in seven by Chi in the return and after fourteen months out was overpowered in four by Scott Harrison in a challenge for the Scot's WBO crown.  

He made an ill-advised, financially inspired comeback in 2009, beating Mark Alexander in a short-lived up and downer before being stopped early by current British lightweight champ, Anthony Crolla.