Make-or-break in Elites for Liam Davies
Liam Davies is facing a make-or-break finals weekend in the England Elite Championships after reaching the deciders in style.
The Donnington Boxing Club fighter scored a first round TKO to progress past the pre quarter-finals last weekend,
The 20-year-old now goes on a second Merseyside mission as the quarters, semi and final all take place over three days at Liverpool's Echo Arena.
Davies made light work on his first trip to the city last weekend, removing George Brennan inside a session at the Croxteth Leisure Centre.
Brennan, from Jimmy Egan's gym in Manchester, was put over twice and waved off by the referee after the second time.
Davies caught him flush to the head with a straight right hand and used a double jab, to set up the left hook to the body that made him sink to the canvas.
The same killer shot returned his opponent to the mat and finished him off, after Brennan had answered the count and been allowed to continue the first time.
Unseeded Davies now goes forth into a seven-pronged 56kg that will be whittled down until it has produced an Elite national champion. The draw is computerised on the day.
The 2010 Schools titlist went out in the Elite quarter-finals at 52kg last year with the eventual winner, Muhammad Ali, now qualifying for this summer's Olympic Games.
Threats this time around include hot favourite and Great Britain podium boxer Peter McGrail, from Everton Red Triangle in Liverpool. Hoddesdon's Charlie Kenny is the second seed.
Davies will consider turning pro at bantamweight after the tournament, should his ambition of representing his country not come to pass. The title outright would make him a shoo-in.
His coach and father Tristan Davies said: "We've trained harder than ever for this one, I've really pushed him to his limits in the gym.
"I think last weekend showed his man strength is coming through and the accuracy has always been there. He's a tall, upright boxer who doesn't waste a lot of his shots.
"He got to finals weekend with bruised knuckles and struggling at the weight last year, so we're looking to go one or two better now. I expect him to get, at least, another stage forward.
"I can't believe he's never boxed for England, I look at some of the lads on the squad and, with no disrespect, they are no better than Liam.
"He's had 88 fights now and won 70 of them, so there's not a lot more he can do as an amateur without fighting for his country.
"If he doesn't have get picked after this, we might well have a go at the pro game. I'm told Eddie Hearn (Matchroom promoter) will be at the Elite finals, too."
