WARLEY Boxing Club protegee Solomon Dacres is keen to gain even more experience after being crowned national champion.

The 23-year-old, who used to play professional rugby for Moseley and has only been boxing for three years, fired himself to glory by stopping Joshua Quailey in the super heavyweight final on Sunday.

Dacres overcame disrupted preparation due to a hand injury to compete in the 130th England Boxing Elite National Championships in Rotherham last weekend and soon improved on last year's semi-final finish.

He powered past his quarter-final and semi-final opponents on Friday and Saturday to set up a clash with Quailey in Sunday's 91+kg final.

He then secured the title with a thrilling third round stoppage to again highlight the potential that saw him become part of GB Boxing's coaching set-up last month.

Dacres said: "I was a bit tentative going into the championships because of my hand injury. I have not been able to spar for four or five weeks and I felt it as soon as I was in the first fight.

"I have been sore all weekend but just got on with it. It was a big chance for me and I knew my fitness levels were very good and I got the job done.

"It helped that I got the stoppages in two of the three fights as well. That was a massive positive and I can definitely feel I'm getting stronger all the time now.

"My coaches were pleased with the performance, especially the stoppages.

"I can now hopefully get onto the international stage with GB and continue to learn and pick up even more experience moving forwards."

The talented boxer only took up the sport three years ago but has quickly caught the eye under the guidance of John Nash and his other coaches at Warley.

Dacres, who has already turned down approaches to turn professional, recently met Anthony Joshua and Joe Joyce at a recent training camp and is now also targeting Olympic selection in 2020.

Nash added: "We are really proud of him. His success, as well as being selected by GB, is a massive inspiration for the other youngster we have coming through.

"Even though we'll probably see less of Solomon now it is an exciting time for the gym with more and more people knocking on our door. We have improved our facilities since we went to Tat Bank Road in Oldbury and are celebrating our 80th year."

Warley Boxing Club's next fight night event will again be at the Travellers Inn, Wolverhampton Road, on May 12.

Tickets cost £10 with doors opening at 7.30pm.