David Dolan will begin his assault on Commonwealth Games gold against Bahamas boxer Jerry Otis Butler this evening.

Dolan, from Sunderland, was hoping he would be one of the five super-heavyweights to receive a bye into the quarter-finals.

But yesterday's draw paired Dolan, 22, with little known Butler in a fight that will take place at Wythenshawe Forum today.

Dolan, a three-time ABA champion, is confident that he can go all the way and emulate Audley Harrison - who won Olympic Games gold in the same division two years ago. Dolan said: "I am usually unlucky with the draw and I was hoping not to have to fight in the first round here.

"But I still believe I'm good enough to win the gold medal, even though I now have four fights instead of three. I'll have my whole family watching me and I don't want to let them down.

"I've been boxing since I was ten and winning gold in Manchester would be the highlight of my career."