SWINDON super heavyweight Luke Watkins is confident he can handle the step up in class when he competes in the Elite ABAE Championship for the first time this weekend.

The Fitzpatrick’s Gym boxer was beaten in the final of the Novice ABAs at the end of last year following a controversial decision during his clash with Newark’s Przemyslaw Pozniak, but is back in the ring for the first round of the senior championship at Supermarine Sports Club tomorrow night.

However, the defeat hasn’t set Watkins back and the fighter, who is considering joining the pro ranks in the future, is confident the move up in standard will be something he can take in his stride.

“This isn’t one I knew an awful lot about but Paddy (Fitzpatrick, Watkins’ trainer) told me I was fighting in it and that’s cool by me,” he said.

“I’ve been in the gym every day doing what I do and I’m ready for it, I’m always ready. You have to take this jump at some point and everything I do is a step up and I’m always looking to learn.

“I’m mentally ready and physically ready for this fight so now I just need to go out there and deal with the battle in hand.”