BOXING: Commonwealth Games gold medalist Shelley Watts will box for gold on Saturday at the Australian National Championships on the Gold Coast, but it hasn’t been the preparation she was expecting.

Watts had a walkover on Friday after her opponent in the 64kg division failed to make the weight.

Earlier in the week Watts spent less than two rounds in the ring before the referee stopped the fight.

But Watts says her lack of ring time this week won’t affect her chances of an Australian title.

“All I had to do was go back this afternoon and do some pads with my coach,” Watts said.

“We really treated it like we’d had a fight today, we did some short, sharp pads, so it hasn’t thrown back my preparation at all. You have to learn to adapt.”

Watts will fight Victorian Allison Allan for the gold. Friday was the first time Watts had ever seen her box.

“She looks like a strong competitor, with some nice clean punches,” Watts said.

“I’m obviously going to have to show respect to my opponent, but also make her know I’ve had a lot of experience, I’ve had a lot of hard training, and I’m not her for a silver medal, I’m here for a gold, just like I was at the Commonwealth Games.”

Daniel Lewis followed his impressive opening but win with another strong performance on Friday, beating the ACT’s Kurtis Cooper to book his place in Saturday night’s gold medal bout.

“Yesterday was my first fight since last year’s Commonwealth Games, so I was a bit rusty, but it’s starting to come together,” Lewis said.

“I’ve got a lot of hunger, I want to win every tournament I compete in.”

World Championship teammates Kristy Harris and Lauren Camilleri had an entertaining bout in the women’s 51kg division, with Harris winning through to the final.

One of the most anticipated bouts on Saturday night will be the women’s 75kg final.

Glasgow Commonwealth Games athlete Kaye Scott will take on 19-year-old Western Australian, Caitlin Parker.

Many consider Parker to be a star of the future, while Scott has consistently proven herself at the highest levels of the sport.

Glasgow silver medalist, Joe Goodall, will take on Victoria’s Kris Terzievski for the super heavyweight title, while his Commonwealth Games teammate, Jordan Samardali, will fight Victoria’s Aaron Spagnolo in the 81kg final.

And Beijing Olympian Daniel Beahan will test his comeback progress when he lines up against consistent Victorian, Jason Whately.

Boxing Australia