Bobby Vanzie has split with his long-serving trainer Godfrey Brown.

The Bradford lightweight will have a new man in his corner when he fights for the European belt early next year.

Vanzie said: "It's been upsetting and a few tears have been shed.

"We tried our hardest to get Godfrey to stay but his life doesn't revolve around boxing.

"We entered on this road together and I seriously don't think Godfrey thought it would go as far as the European title and then hopefully a world shot.

"He didn't feel he could take me any further.

"But this is my aim, my goal and I want to work with a trainer who is committed to sharing that goal."

Rumours had been circulating before Vanzie's demolition of Anthony Maynard last month that it would be his last fight working with Brown.

He said: "Godfrey's work is tied up in London and with my family situation, I can't take time out to go down there for four or five days at a time.

"My wife and I have just started a new business and with having young kids at home it's not conducive to travelling.

"But the split is amicable and we remain good friends.

"He will still come and see me in the future and keep tabs on my career."

Brown's input will continue while his replacement settles into the role.

Vanzie's camp has drawn up a short-list of two but intend to still call on the former trainer for advice.

Vanzie added: "Godfrey will liaise with the new corner man because it's got to be a smooth transition. We've got to maintain the same things and same training methods that have kept me winning.

"It's going to be very hard because Godfrey has dropped it on our toes a bit.

"We've got the biggest fight of my career coming up and we will be going in cold with a new trainer. But sometimes you don't always get what you want.

"I'll just have to work even harder to achieve what I believe I am capable of."

Purse bids are out for the European fight in February when Vanzie, the top-ranked challenger, is likely to be up against Sandro Casamonica.

Training will not begin for another month but Vanzie is already planning to view tapes of the Italian.