WALCOT boxer Patrick McDonagh faces the biggest challenge of his career tonight when he competes in the national final of the Youth Ambition Championships at Shirebrook in Derbyshire.

The talented 16-year-old will encounter the highly-rated Ben Fail from Northampton’s Far Cotton ABC in a Class A (63kgs) match.

To reach the final McDongah has beaten three quality opponents. Firstly he saw off City of Portsmouth’s Alex Millar, who was the Southern Counties champion. He then overcame Welsh champion Jason Sillet in the quarter-finals, before overcoming London champion Ben Turner in the semis.

He said ahead of the final: ”I have trained hard all season for this and I am really looking forward to it.

“Winning national titles is what the hard work and sacrifice is all about - that’s what makes it worthwhile. Fail has a good record but I feel quietly confident about my chances.”

Walcot chief coach Harry Scott knows his boxer faces a tough challenge, saying: “This tournament is a hard one to win. During the 10 years we have been entering only Jamie Cox and Ryan Martin have won it for us.

“But Patrick is a two-time national schoolboy champion who works hard and is very fit, so I am hopeful he can bring the title back to Walcot.”

The finals start at 7.30pm this Friday at the Shirebrook Leisure Centre.