NEW national boxing champion Muhammad Ali has been snubbed in the race for a spot at next year’s Olympics.

The Keighley teenager won his first senior title at the weekend’s England Boxing Elite Championships in Liverpool.

But the flyweight spot on the British podium squad, which will decide who goes to Rio in 2016, has already been given to Otley rival Jack Bateson – who did not take part on Merseyside.

Ali’s coach Mike Jelley admitted his omission soured an impressive win and wants the two Yorkshire rivals to sort it out in the ring to see who should be pushed forward for possible Olympic inclusion.

Jelley said: “It’s not right that Ali hasn’t been picked for any of the trials to go to the Olympics.

“They should have a box-off between the two of them, best of three and the winner goes to the qualifiers. That way it’s all cut and dried and nobody can have any complaints.

“Otherwise, where does Ali go from here? Does he turn professional next week?

“He wants to go to the Olympics – or at least have that chance. He’s the national champion now and he should have a crack at getting into the (British) team.”

Ali, a graduate from Bradford College’s elite boxing programme like Bateson, impressed in his first competition without the security of a head guard.

The top seed in the 52kg division, he outshone Salisbury’s Blane Hyland to take Sunday’s final on a unanimous decision.

“He did what he had to do and boxed really well,” said veteran Jelley, who coaches Ali at Bury ABC.

“He had never boxed without a head guard before the quarter-final but beat everyone he had to.

“Hyland was the number two seed but Ali was comfortable against him. It was a brilliant performance.

“It was only his third senior fight – his first was last Friday in the quarter-finals. Before that he hadn’t boxed for three or four months because we can’t get him on a show.

“He trains seven days a week and knows what he wants to do. He proves it time and time again – last year he got silver at the World juniors, gold in the Europeans and a bronze at the youth Olympics.

“Now he’s just won an ABA title. What else can he do? It’s so frustrating for the lad.

“Let the two lads have three fights – one in Yorkshire, one in Lancashire and one in London on neutral ground. Sort it out properly.

“Ali just wants to prove himself again. That’s all he’s asking.”