TOP Greenock boxing prospect Sam Ball has clinched a place in the final of the Scottish Championships — and lined up a possible slot at the Commonwealth Games.

The 18-year-old left his semi-final rival Jason Easton on the ropes on Saturday as he punched his way to a convincing victory.

It means Sam is one fight away from the title and has taken a major step closer to his goal of making the Scotland squad for Glasgow 2014.

The Greenock ABC protege was delighted with the way the weekend clash went and says he really relished the atmosphere.

Sam told the Tele: “I thought I performed pretty well. In the first two rounds I was well ahead, although the third was a bit closer.” Sam’s parents, friends and boxers from other clubs were at Scotstoun Sports Centre to cheer him on.

He said: “The atmosphere was brilliant. It was a smaller hall than normal for me but with more seats and more people there to watch.” Sam says Edinburgh-based boxer Easton, a Scottish international, was a tough opponent but he admits he faces an even bigger challenge when he takes on Josh Taylor in the final on 28 March at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena.

He said: “I’ve got a lot of respect for Josh for what he’s achieved.

“He’s the Commonwealth Silver Champion and he was at the London Olympics in 2012.

“But I’ve got the best coach in the world in Danny Lee and we’ll sit down and talk over tactics and a couple of strategies.

“I’m definitely going to beat him.” A selection meeting for the Commonwealth Games will be held between 1 and 5 April, and Sam expects to find out then if he’s been chosen for the national team.

He said: “If I beat Josh I should get the position.”