JORDAN Battel believes he can finally make the transition from North West champion to national number one.
The Westhoughton boxer has won the regional title for the fourth time to qualify for the English Championships later this month.
His previous three attempts to lift the national crown have ended in failure, he believes largely due to coming up against much bigger opponents.
But the 17-year-old has now significantly come down in weight and is confident he can go all the way this time.
"I know I'm going to win it," he said.
"The last three times I've been to the nationals I've come up against opponents who have been much bigger and much rangier than me.
"I gave it my best shot every time but it's just been hard against people so much bigger like that.
"I've won the North West title four times now and this time I'm going to the nationals knowing I'm going to win.
"I've lost four kilograms so I'll come up against people who are not big and rangy like I have in the past and I'm feeling really confident I can beat them.
"I won three fights all on points over the last three weekends at Walkden Sixth Form College – which is a really good venue for boxing – to win the North West.
"I know I can win the English now because I feel miles more confident, I'm a lot more powerful."
Battel, a former St Josephs High School pupil who is trained by Rick Godding and Stuart Greaves at Ricky's Gym in Blackrod, is nicknamed the Wasp and makes his bid for national glory in the 56kg category at County Durham next weekend.
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