POOLE ABC fighter Chris Billam-Smith closed in on national glory by progressing to the finals of the Elite ABA of England Championships.

The Christchurch-based amateur will compete for the prestigious title after claiming a majority points decision against Ricardo Slue yesterday.

Billam-Smith saw off his cruiserweight rival from Fitzroy Lodge in their semi-final showdown at the TA & Army ABC in Grove Park, London.

The 22-year-old, competing in the 86kg division, had missed out at the same stage last year when beaten by eventual champion Deion Jumah.

But he went one better to book his place in the 2013 final, which is scheduled to take place on April 20 at the Rainton Meadows Arena in Sunderland.

Speaking to the Daily Echo ahead of the bout, former Portchester School pupil Billam-Smith had said: “I plan to win the whole thing this year.”

And he will get his shot at title glory as well as the chance to again catch the eye of national selectors, with a place at Rio 2016 his ultimate goal.

Billam-Smith said: “If I can become ABA champion, I will hopefully get another invite to the GB set-up in Sheffield.”

After impressing at last year’s ABAE Championships, Billam-Smith was invited to be part of the GB Boxing assessment camp, where he tested his skills alongside the country’s leading amateur boxers.