It might not have had the glitz and glamour of Dallas, but the humble surroundings of Cedar Mount School in Gorton at the weekend were just as important to Hosea Burton.

If you don't recognise the name, it's because he's not quite at the level of your Manny Pacquiaos or Joshua Clotteys yet - maybe he never will. But Hosea is good enough to be the defending ABA middleweight champion and current England No1.

Unfortunately, he is not considered good enough to represent his country or get government funding.

Hosea has been criminally overlooked by England - and despite his unquestionable potential, doesn't even receive Olympic development funding.

Potential

He would love to be a part of the squad that goes to the Commonwealth Games later this year, but despite being the reigning ABA champion, he still finds himself out of the international picture.

Despite being ABA champion, he does not find himself in the group of athletes considered to have "strong potential" for London 2012.

I highlight his case because I simply can't imagine any other sport being the same.

Hosea made a successful start to the defence of his ABA crown at the weekend - but it is hard to see what defence Team GB has for ignoring his talent.

I've been on to the selectors, but it feels like we're banging our heads against a brick wall.

He's doing all the right things yet he's not even getting picked for squad training.

Some of Britain's greatest names were ABA champions, so to overlook a current one is to make a mockery of the competition.