WIRRAL boxer Nick MacDonald, who missed out on the chance of Olympic glory in Athens because of a broken thumb, has struck gold in Finland.

The 20-year-old Vauxhall ABC fighter, who lives in Moreton, beat former Commonwealth champion Sebastian Gauthier, of Canada, to win the first of this season's major European competitions.

Nick, who has won eight national titles and is ranked No 1 in the UK at 54 kilograms, has set his heart on making the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. He is in action at Everton Park Sports Centre next month.