Shannon Courtenay says she is in great shape to repeat her feat of winning gold at the International Box Cup this month.

She has stepped up a category but is ready to give it everything she has got in pursuit of a second successive gold medal at Europe’s largest amateur boxing event.

Courtenay said ahead of the action at Alexandra Palace: “If I fight like I know I can, I think I have got a good chance.

“This year is even bigger for me because I am going there to defend my title. I cannot let someone take it off me.

“Winning last year was huge and if I were to become a two-times gold champion, that would be amazing.”

“I’ve stepped up into a higher group and it’s going to be a lot harder than last year. But I am in very good shape, I’ve trained as hard as I can and I feel ready.”

The Watford-based fighter is drawn in a tough group for the event which gets under way next Friday.

She said: “There’s no easy fights at this level, we are all coming for the same reason and everyone is capable. I’ve got a very hard category.”

Courtenay hasn’t fought since she beat England international and ABA semi-finalist Kirsty Hill in April. She was scheduled to fight last month but then had two separate opponents drop out on her.

But she says she has done more sparring than ever and doesn’t think the lack of competitive action will affect her.

“It’s annoying but it means I’m fresher and more hungry,” she added.