BOXING Scotland chairman Richard Thomas believes the Scottish Championship Senior Finals will provide the perfect preparation for an assault on Commonwealth Games glory.

The cream of the nation's fighting crop, drawn from over 100 Boxing Scotland-affiliated clubs, will battle it out to make finals night on Friday, March 28, at the Emirates Arena.

With a capacity crowd of 5000 expected, the finals are set to be the biggest event of their kind ever held in Britain and the amateur supremo can't wait for the first bell.

Thomas said: "We are hoping a sell-out crowd will roar our boys on as they try to win their national titles and earn a place to compete in a home Commonwealth Games.

"This is our biggest Championship in our biggest sporting year."

The Championship action starts this weekend at Scotstoun Sports Campus and the secondary stage is at Tollcross International Swimming Centre on March 2. The semi-finals return to Scotstoun on 15 March, before the 26 finalists lace up at the Emirates on the last Friday in March.

Thomas says some of the biggest names in Scottish amateur boxing will be among the favourites at the end.

He said: "Boxers like British champion Charlie Flynn and other elite fighters like Lewis Benson, Conor Law and Mark McEwan are names to conjure with. The new 10-point scoring system is in line with the pro game and the fact the lads are no longer required to wear headguards will allow fans to really get behind them.

"This is an attempt to get the support behind the boys ahead of the Games."

Tickets - priced £10 (upper bowl), £20 (lower bowl), £30 ringside and £60 (corporate) are available from Boxing Scotland on 0845 450 1793. Special offers are available to member clubs.