Time out for Liam Davies in England Elite

The 19-year-old represents his Dad Tristan's Donnington gym and works for his father behind the bar at the district's Sports & Social Club,

The talented teenager will be given time off from his duties but won't be slacking off, instead training hard to make sure this is his year.

It looks like he may well do the shuffle again with Muhammad Ali, who has been seeded at 52kg for finals weekend at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

That's where the quarter-finals, semis and final will take place day-to-day from April 24 to 26, but another test awaits Davies first this weekend.

He will travel to the Army Sports Centre in Aldershot, Hampshire, to step through the ropes with pre-quarter final opponent Blessed Sithole, from Thanet in Kent.

Tristan said: "Liam's going to need pushing harder if we've got Ali in our sights. That's down to the draw, but you would expect he's going to be the top challenger.

"He's boxed Ali three times already and lost twice but we did get one over him on our club show, so he's not unbeatable.

"I don't think Ali is that comfortable making the weight now, so we need to get Liam as fit as possible. If that's the case, we must take advantage.

"If he performs as he can do, Liam's capable of outclassing him, but it's all about fitness."

Davies took the 52kg area spoils after seeing off the challenge of old rival Sam Holt, from Nechells in Birmingham, on Sunday afternoon.

Holt is still looking for his first win over him after three times of asking, the latest at the Newdigate Social Club in Bedworth.

The Brummie conceded the first round after being jabbed out of reach by his taller foe, although he came out all guns blazing in the second.

He managed to find some range and attack at close quarters, but a gruelling session looked to have caught up with him in the third and last round.

That's where he went hell for leather with wild uppercuts that didn't land on the target, with Davies content to step off and pick his shots until they reached the final bell.

It went to the cards where Davies again came out on top unanimously on points with a valiant effort from Holt - brother of pro Paul - proving in vain.

Tristan said: "Liam has beaten him twice before, but that was easily the best Sam has boxed over the three bouts. He showed a lot of heart.

"Liam was given something to think about and maybe we under-estimated the lad a bit, but he got the job done and that's all that really matters.

"A lot of people were saying what a classy boxer Liam is, so it shows he had the skills he needed to come out on top."