ST ALBANS and London Colney Boxing Club member James Yelland might have a shot at the Southern Areas Bantam Weight title later this summer, after it has emerged current holder Nicky Booth might vacate.

With three successful title defences, Booth, who will defend his Commonwealth Games title in Manchester in July, would be entitled to keep the Lousdale belt should he retire.

With this in mind, the St Albans boxer is desperate to improve a record of six wins, one draw and one loss and quickly.

Just two weeks after being made aware of the Booth situation, Yelland's team have been working overtime to organise a couple of bouts for the coming weeks, as they hope to see their man leap to the front of the queue waiting for the opportunity to step into Booth's shoes.

Should things work out like this, Yelland would probably find himself up against Jim Betts of Scunthorpe, who has already lost to Booth in seven rounds, but a chance to fight Booth himself is also on the cards should he decide to stay on.

"This is the closest I've got the Southern Area title," Yelland said. "When I turned professional, my target was a national belt and that's still the case. This would be a very important stepping stone."

Yelland's first 'warm-up' bout is Saturday, June 29, at the Brentwood International Centre, when he will take on Neil Reid over six rounds.

"I only found out about the fight two weeks ago, but I was in the gym before then and I'm in pretty good shape anyway.

"I've never seen him (Reid) box so I'll go out in the first and see what he has to offer. But I need to win this one. If I lose it would set me back a couple of paces."

If, as expected, Yelland does come through this meeting Reid's record is hardly daunting another fight would be arranged for the end of July.

But this will be done with half an eye on Booth. "He's a good boxer," Yelland admitted. "He moves around the ring well and puts his punches together well. That's probably his strength.

"But my strengths are probably the same. We actually box in a similar style."

First things first though. Tickets to see the Yelland/Reid bout are on sale, priced at £20. For further details, contact 0795 823 5707.

June 27, 2002 12:00