TWO famous heavyweight boxers are fighting the corner of a family of asylum seekers who are desperate to stay in Swindon.

Boxing promoter Keith Mayo flew to America to recruit former Olympic gold medallist and undisputed heavyweight champion of the world Leon Spinks and the new WBC heavyweight champion Russia's Sergei Liakovich.

Both men were keen to back the Eltuyev family once Keith explained their situation.

Islan, Zarina and their two sons, Said, seven and four-year-old Aslan, fled torture in Chechnya to come to Swindon in May 2003.

Since then the couple have had another child, Angelina.

A petition of more than 1,500 signatures, along with 150 forms Advertiser readers filled in, has been sent to the Home Office in a bid to allow the family to stay.

The Eltuyevs, of Ipswich Road, have become part of the community and Islan, 40, has been doing voluntary work with young boxers, including Swindon's Commonwealth gold medallist Jamie Cox.

But the authorities say the family could be removed by force at any time. Keith, who met the boxers at the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canestota, the New York state, last week, said: "When I told Sergei about it his eyes lit up.

"He's from Russia so he knows what goes on over there and he was more than happy to help.

"With Leon Spinks it's a job to sit him down at any time but I told his girlfriend about it and she got him to come and listen.

"Once he heard he was happy to help."

North Swindon Labour MP Michael Wills has again written to the immigration minister, Liam Byrne, in a bid to save the family from deportation.

Keith said: "I think the situation is looking better than it was.

"We've just got to keep it up until the Home Office realises the family deserves to stay."

Zarina, 27, said her husband had been pleased with the latest names to give their support.

But she added: "Lots of people in Swindon signed the petition for us and that is more of a surprise for me. Michael Wills has written to us again and he is trying to do his best. Obviously we are pleased that these champions are supporting us and we will see. Maybe it will help."

Leon Spinks won the Olympic Gold for the USA in 1976 and went on to beat Muhammad Ali.

Liakovich recently defeated Lamon Brewster to become the WBC heavyweight champion.