By Adam Lione

AMATEUR boxer Chris Goddard is planning a return to the South of England ABA finals, as he prepares for his England Eastern Counties 75kg championship fight against Tey Lynn Jones on Saturday.

The 23-year-old faces the Tilbury Dockers TNC fighter, at the Canvey ABC show at The Paddocks on Canvey and he is confident that he will be able to progress.

“I have had great preparation for the fight. I feel good and 2015 looks like it could be a great year for me,” he said.

“I always plan to go all the way, but I’ve had my ups and downs in the past.

“I now feel my experience and my knowledge of diet and overtraining will give me the edge. I feel like this is my year.”

The Benfleet-based fighter says that despite being friends with his opponent, he will not be holding anything back and is confident of beating him.

“I know Tey well, we are good mates, and we travelled to the Great Britain trials together. He is a tough, fit kid but I’ve got more experience and I feel like it is my time to shine.

“Tey and I have never fought before, but we’ve sparred together a long time ago.

“He is a bit one dimensional, he’s fit and tough whereas I am more versatile, so I’m confident I will come out on top.

Goddard reached the quarter-finals of the National ABAE Elite championships in 2013, however he struggled with a series of setbacks in 2014 but insists he is now passed that and is eager to get back on track.

“That was a tough year for me, I had a hernia and was then in a car crash so that put me out for the whole season and really set my back,” he said.

“But I’ve worked hard and I’m finally better and I’m feeling good.”

Goddard’s fight is one of five elite Eastern Region and Home Counties finals on the Saturday night card, which features seven schoolboy, three youth and six senior bouts on the undercard.

Danny O’Sullivan, who was the MC at the London Olympics in 2012, will be attending the event.

Canvey ABC chief Terry Dainty said: “This is going to be a banger. We have always had decent shows but I think this will be one of the best we have staged.”

Dainty has had belts made for the winners of the elite finals and thanked the sponsors who had covered the cost of staging the event.

Tickets are available on the door and cost £15 for adults and £5 for concessions. Boxing starts at 7.45pm.