RUBERY heavyweight Mark Regan is aiming to build on an impressive record when he fights in National Novice Championships in Sheffield on Thursday.

Regan, aged 21, takes an impressive record of nine wins out of ten bouts since he stepped up to the heavyweight division this season into the quarter-finals.

He said: "I'm two fights away from the final in London and that's the greatest motivation anyone could have.

"I'm feeling confident and believe I can go all the way if I stay fit."

The fighter, who trains at the Ironworks gym in Selly Oak, booked his place in the national stages by winning the Midland Counties final at Burton-on-Trent last week.

Up against Leicestershire's Anthony Peters Regan won the bout by two rounds to one.

He said: "I actually thought I was in control of the fight from the start, but obviously those marking it felt different."

The Rubery fighter won the first round, only for the second round to be awarded to Peters.

He regained control in the final round and frustrated his taller opponent so much that he pulled Regan's head guard off.

Regan, who is trained by Mick Redmond and Dennis McDaid, has a lot of catching up to do after an injury hit time in recent years.

Two years ago he was on the regional novice championship in the light heavyweight division, only for a broken arm to stop him in his tracks.

This time he is confident that the injury problems have gone away.

He said: "I've had a bad time of it with injuries but it's only made me more determined to win this match."