BURY ABC boxer Muhammad Ali took a step closer to qualifying for the Rio Olympics after helping the British Lionhearts to a 4-1 victory over USA at York Hall last Thursday in the latest round of the World Series of Boxing.

The 19-year-old flyweight beat guest fighter Gaurav Bidhuri, of India, on points, gaining a unanimous decision from the judges.

It was his second outing in the competition after winning his bout in Morocco in the previous round.

The WSB is a new tournament launched by world governing body AIBA. Under new rules, boxers must compete in two rounds of the event before being allowed to take part in an Olympic qualifier.

Ali is now free to fight for his place in the 2016 Olympics at a qualifying tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, in May.

Bury ABC team-mate Muavia Nasim, aged 16, has also gained international recognition after being invited on a Team GB training camp in Ukraine, which will take place next week.

Back at home, 14-year-old Shamaiz Nadim added to the club's trophy cabinet after being crowned Greater Manchester cadet champion.

Nadim stopped opponent Arquam Patel, of Chorley ABC, in the second round of the regional final at Tyson's Gym in Accrington on Saturday.

He will now fight in the next round of the ABA National Cadet Championships in the Midlands this weekend.