Deja vu in the CYPs for Jack Wood

The Black Country amateur travelled to Sunderland today for tomorrow's decider in Class B - for fighters born in 1995 - at the Nissan Sports and Social Club.

The 17-year-old battles Birtley Boys ABC's Luke McCormack at 57kg, having gone out of the junior ABA competition to his twin brother Pat in April.

But Wood's camp believe their fighter has kicked on from that defeat and become a better boxer, while retaining brawling skills so he can mix it up.

Pat sets off for Armenia today to compete in the world amateur championship but Wood has been warned he won't have it easier against his sibling.

Wednesbury head coach Stuart Grainger said: "Both of the twins are on par with each other but I really fancy Jack's chances, he's all geared up for it.

"He's just carried on improving over the last 12 months, he's maturing and reading his fights so much better, he knows what he's up against this time.

"We have told Jack to be patient, stand off and box him. We want him in there and out before the other lad has got a shot in."

Wood, who has had a bye since the Midlands final, will join up on Wearside with Walsall Wood ABC's Daniel Breeze.

Breeze has walked over since one fight before the area stages finished and did that with a broken nose, but has been kept busy.

The 16-year-old has boxed on a couple of club shows and comes across a familiar adversary in Knowsley Vale ABC's Callum O'Brian.

O'Brian stunned Louis Claridge, who knocked Breeze out of the Junior ABAs earlier this year, in the 70kg North-West area final.

But Breeze also eliminated O'Brian from the ABA Schoolboys two years ago and will look to again in Class A - for fighters born in 1996.

Walsall Wood head coach Shaun Healy said: "Dan has never been so strong, He had a hiccup when he lost but that won't happen again.

"All this lad does is come forward and start swinging, while Dan can fight if he wants to and box if he has to."