s=10AFTER making his decision to step up to heavyweight, Loughton's Paul Souter is finally happy at his new weight, but even though he has found his feet in this bracket, he is finding it harder to get fights.o

s=9Souter, 22, was meant to be taking part in a recent Multi-Nation games, yet as he is now the small fish in a new heavyweight pond, he has found himself down the pecking order when it comes to selection time.o

Souter said: "At the moment I am still fighting for my place at heavyweight and training every night to get as sharp as I can.

"I'm also training for the ABAs which will start at the end of January and I could meet David Haye, who went to the Multi-Nations instead of me, there."

Haye is currently ranked second in the world and also won the silver medal in the World Games this year, so it is no big shock to Souter that he was picked in front of him and there will now be a friendly rivalry between the pair as they both fight for their place in the England squad.

With Haye's current form, there will be no better rival for Paul to try and match as he tries to knock him off his heavyweight perch.

He continued: "If Haye has turned professional by the time the Commonwealth Games come around, there is a good chance that I could go there instead of him."

Paul has been sparring with super-heavyweight Ray McCalum who has certainly seen the improvement in his power since the jump up.

"Ray said that I feel twice as strong now and that he can definitely feel the difference. I'm pleased that I made the change gradually and didn't rush it, and I think that is what has helped me."

Souter's first few fights at heavyweight had him feeling sluggish in the ring, but by easing into the new weight gradually, he has came out of the transition a lot better for it.

He continued: "This way, it has come naturally and the strength has come with me rather than having it hurried and forced."

As well as the ABAs coming up, Souter will be looking to represent London when they fight against the Army side in January.

"Hopefully I will be selected. There's nothing final yet. They are still trying to match me up, so we'll have to see."

December 6, 2001 17:20