KEVIN SHERIDAN is backing Roo Abbott to become the second Juggernauts Gym fighter to hold two Queensbury Boxing League belts at different weights.
The 25-year-old painter from Oxted has the opportunity to emulate the achievement of Gareth Gardner when he steps into the ring against knockout king Ben Middleton for a light heavyweight bout on Saturday night at the Effingham Park Hotel.
Abbott, who trains out of Sheridan's gym in Felbridge was handed the unexpected shot at a second title earlier this year when the Brighton-based Queensbury light heavyweight champion's opponent was forced to withdraw through injury.
And although Abbott wasn't intending to fight again until later this year with his partner Kerry expecting the couple's first baby, he has taken on the task and worked hard to reach the required weight.
And his trainer says the super middleweight champion is now confident going into the bout that he can beat Middleton, who holds the record for the quickest knockout in the competition.
Sheridan said: "Roo is fighting a weight above here, but he is confident he can take Ben on.
"He has worked hard to get himself fit and ready, having not fought since winning his title in November, but we are feeling really confident now.
"We have a game plan that we have been working hard on and it would be brilliant if he can become another Juggernauts fighter to have two belts."
And Sheridan is expecting a great fight between the two, who know each other well having appeared on the same shows and done some sparring together in the past.
He said: "They have trained together in the past and they know all about each other from the league.
"It does mean that they can't really hide from each other, but when the two fighters know each other well it normally makes for a good fight."
And Abbott himself is relishing the chance to test himself at the higher level against such a fighter as Middleton.
He said: "After watching him fight a couple of times I've always fancied fighting and now that I've been given this fantastic opportunity to win my second title in the league I'm going to take it with both hands."