BURY'S British and Commonwealth bantamweight boxing champion Ady Lewis is counting down the days to his first defence of his new titles.

The 'Mighty Atom,' the nation's shortest boxer at 4 foot 10 inches, faces Belfast's Tommy Waite at Bowlers, Trafford Park in three weeks time on the same bill as Michael Brodie's World Boxing Council super-bantamweight clash against unbeaten American Willie Jorrin.

Waite, who hails from the Shankhill Road, is a quality performer trained by Gerry Storey, father of former British super-middleweight champion Sam Storey.

But Lewis's manager and trainer, Jack Doughty, told the Bury Times yesterday that he's "delighted" with the progress his man has been making in training.

"Ady's doing a lot of excellent fitness work running over the hills above Oldham and his condition is great," said Doughty.

"He's been getting in some quality sparring against Oldham's Gary Ford, Huddersfield's Lee Armstrong and Mongolian prospect Choi Tseveerpurev and looks in fine shape."

Lewis, who boasts a record of 18 victories, two defeats and one draw in his 21 fight professional record, is well aware of what's expected of him against the all-Ireland bantamweight champion.

"I'm feeling great and have been really putting the work in," said the British champion.

"I've seen a couple of videos of Waite and he's a bit of a 'mover' but I'll catch up with him - that's what my fitness training is all about.

"I can't wait, it should be a great night with some top performers on the bill including my Tara stablemate Bobby Vanzie who is defending his Commonwealth lightweight crown."

Tickets for the event on Saturday, September 9 are priced £20 and can be obtained from Ady by ringing 0161-797 3954.