Wolvercote middleweight Chris Wood will be the first Oxfordshire boxer to enter the ring as the ABA Championships get under way this week- end.

The 29-year-old Marston carpenter, who is in action at Lydney, feels more focussed this time around than he has been in previous campaigns.

"I've had distractions in the past, but now those have been firmly put to one side and I can fully concentrate on what is expected of me in the ring," said Wood.

He will join five other contenders in the draw and has had to prepare himself for the prospect of more than one bout on the same day.

Glen Morgan (Forest Oak), Martin Robbins (Downend), Danny Devaine (Weston-super-Mare), Marlon Reid (Walcot) and Andy Garrett (Empire) are the other entries.

"I have to respect them all," he added. "But I feel an added confidence this time around and know I'm capable of beating anyone of them.

"Nothing can be taken for granted in boxing, so it is down to me to show my true potential."

Wood won the Western Counties 75 kg (12-stone) title 12 months ago and has chosen to defend his crown rather than enter through the Home Counties route.

The Home Counties section gets under way with the pre-championship weigh-in at the Wolvercote gym this Sunday.

Any necessary preliminary bouts will be staged at Cheshunt next Friday, with the finals scheduled for Thame on Sarturday, November 4.

Entries are being accepted up to the start of Sunday's weigh-in, but the host Wolvercote outfit have confirmed four of their boxers will be competing.

Former ABA bantamweight finalist Lawrence Lewis has moved up to featherweight.

He will be joined by Mark Maisey (light welterweight), Paul Stedman (welterweight) and light heavyweight Vince Sessegnon.