GWENT boxing stalwart Simon Weaver has described being involved in the Commonwealth Games as “a massive honour for me, my family and my club”.

Torfaen Warriors ABC head honcho Weaver is with the Guernsey team in Australia as a coach to Billy Le Poullain, the channel island’s sole boxer on the Gold Coast.

The 22-year-old welterweight will become Guernsey’s first ever fighter at the Games when he steps into the ring for his opening 69kg bout next Thursday.

Weaver, who is assisting Le Poullain’s trainer Ben Duff, believes a medal isn’t out of the question and says his man is primed and ready to go.

“I have been team coach and team manager for Wales but this is perhaps the biggest honour I have ever had,” he said.

“It was great when Ben asked if I would represent Guernsey at the Commonwealth Games.

“I’ve never been to one before and had no hesitation in taking up the offer.

“Since then I have had Billy over to Wales for sparring and to assist in his training, and I have been to Guernsey to work in his corner for a fight he won.

“Billy is the first boxer from Guernsey to go to the Commonwealth Games so all eyes will be on him – and I feel he is more than capable of medalling.

“I think I’m the first Welsh coach in boxing to represent another country. I can’t wait for it to start and I’m going to give it my best shot.

“This is a massive honour for me, my family and my club.”

Guernsey’s boxing party have settled into the athletes’ village nicely after arriving down under in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The competition in the ring begins the day after the opening ceremony, where 54-year-old Weaver, of The Alders, Llanyrafon, will carry a Welsh flag while proudly sporting his Guernsey attire.

As for Le Poullain, he also feels a medal is possible and hopes that Wales gets behind him in his bid for glory in Queensland.

“I want to win a medal,” he said. “I definitely think it’s possible – I wouldn’t have come all this way if I didn’t think it was.

“There aren’t any Welsh boxers in my weight division so hopefully Wales will support me.

“Training is going well and it’s nice to have Simon in my corner with all his experience.

“I’ve known him for the five or six years that he has been bringing his boxers out to Guernsey.”

Weaver has been in boxing for more than 40 years, starting Cwmbran ABC in 1977 and then opening Torfaen Warriors in 1992.

So far the club has produced in excess of 80 Welsh champions, five British champions and 20 gold medallists from tournaments around the world.