Dale Doody faces his biggest test yet

Wednesbury ABC's Dale Doody was today facing "his biggest test" yet as he prepares to makes his debut in the senior ABA national championships.

Doody goes up against Burmantofts ABC's Jack Bateson in the pre-quarter finals at Retford Town Hall in Nottinghamshire on Sunday afternoon.

The ABA Novice champion at 48kg tackles a fighter who has won a ABA Schoolboys title a record three times and is on the fringes of Team GB.

But Doody's trainer Anthony Tobin insists it's the sort of test his 18-year-old charge desperately needs at this stage of his career.

The lack of opponents at light flyweight has already seen Doody walk over the Midlands final without boxing and Tobin wants him to step it up.

He said: "It's always difficult to match Dale at this weight so it's his biggest test yet but he's up for it, he's up for it all of the time!

"Jack is a good kid, I have watched him box and I know what he's like.

"He's got fast hands and you can't catch him - we have told Dale he's got to stick to him.

"This lad will be the favourite but Dale is strong at the weight, we wouldn't have put him into the seniors otherwise.

"Jack won't be stronger than him. If he can win this and go through, he could flourish."

Tobin insists the field at 48kg would normally be even stronger, hence why his teenage prospect is going in now.

A host of fighters are out of ABA competition preparing for the Olympics, leaving Doody to get his senior journey started.

Tobin added : "This should be the easiest year to go into the seniors, because the more experienced lads are not in it.

"It's not as if he's going to be going in there with a 23-year-old, when he's only 18."