FERNDOWN’S Iain Weaver believes he can eradicate any potential home favouritism when he takes on Bulgarian Luben Todorov for a Strandja Cup gold medal today.

Weaver sailed into the lightweight final yesterday after easing past Russian Maxim Dadashev 18-10 in the last four in Sofia.

It was the 22-year-old’s third victory since arriving in Bulgaria on Tuesday, with wins over Georgian former world bronze medallist Koba Pkhakadze (14-7) and Welshman Joe Cordina (13-10) setting up yesterday’s clash against Dadashev.

Weaver was on the wrong end of some dubious scoring when he took on Indian Akhil Kumar at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi two years ago, but vowed to give the judges no room for manoeuvre when he steps into the ring against Todorov in his own back yard.

Speaking to the Echo from his base in Sofia, Weaver said: “I have beaten him before in the 2010 Prime Ministry tournament in Turkey, but he is very good and very strong. He will probably come forward like the Russian did, but I am confident I can beat him.

“I’m in Bulgaria so we will have to see about the scoring. I’m just going to get in there and box well and, hopefully, take it out of the judges’ hands.

“If I can out-box him and dominate the fight, they won’t have any choice but to score it in my favour.”

Regardless of today’s final result, Weaver’s Strandja exploits should be enough to clinch the star a place on the Great Britain team at the final Olympic qualifier in Turkey in April – where a semi-final place is likely to be enough to secure his place at the London Games.

Weaver added: “I have done everything I can, so it is up to Rob McCracken (GB boxing chief) now. I think I have done enough to prove I am the number one at lightweight but it is Rob’s decision.

“I reckon I’ll know either way by the end of the March. If I went there tomorrow, though, I would be so confident of qualifying for the Olympics with the form I am in.”

Weaver was bustled and bullied by a direct Dadashev and had to withstand a barrage of punches from the Russian number two.

He added: “He was on top of me for three rounds and just did not stop coming forward. He was throwing loads of punches, but I kept a solid guard and just picked my shots.

“I caught him with some lovely left-handers to the head and also got him on the body. I felt so good in there.

“It was another great victory. He was a world youth championships silver medallist in 2008, so he is a good fighter.”

Weaver had expected Armenian Vladimir Sarukhanyan to be his opponent in the final, but the European bronze medallist suffered a surprise defeat to Todorov yesterday.