BRIAN Roche has taken a swipe at GB boxing coaches for overlooking his fighter for the World Championships – despite being crowned a British champion.

George Drinkwater won the national schoolboy title earlier this month - the first fighter from Burnley to hold a British crown - after success at the Tri Nations in Cardiff.

But despite his number one ranking in his age group, the 15-year-old Unity College pupil was snubbed for the World Championships being held in Kazakhstan next week.

“I think it was pretty unfair that George was not even considered for the championships,” said coach Roche who runs Roche Boxing Club in Burnley. “George is the national champion and ranked number one. He should have at least been given the opportunity to go.”

Roche said he was amazed at the decision to select the GB team on the eve of the Tri Nations. Drinkwater beat dangerous Welsh champion Daniel Gethin, coached by the legendary Colin Jones, before out-classing Scotland’s Darren Shannon 10-2 in the final - a fighter who has recently been crowned European champion.

“The young lad Shannon has a world ranking but George simply outclassed him,” added Roche who fought to Commonwealth and European titles in his own career. “I was sat talking to GB coach Mick Gannon in Cardiff and asked why had the team already been selected. He was sympathetic, especially as George went on to take the title but it wasn’t right.”

Now Roche wants to set up a showdown between Drinkwater and the fighter who was selected ahead of him.

“I don’t know his name, it is a young lad from London from what I can gather,” said Roche. “But I will be getting in touch with his club, inviting them up to Burnley to one of our shows and getting him in the ring with George. Then we will see who is the better fighter.

Drinkwater boasts a record of 39 wins from his 42 fights, winning his last 18 contests with 10 of them against area, regional or national champions.