Former roller blader Jake Dodd is now getting his skates on in and out of the ring after booking his spot in the Commonwealth Games semi-finals.

Previously, Wrexham flyweight Dodd dispatched Lesotho’s Retselisitsoe Kolobe in a hurry with a second-round stoppage in his first Birmingham bout to earn a place in the quarter-finals.

He then went on to reveal he is also pressed for time in his personal life.

Plumber Dodd, 27, who is one of over 1,100 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering technology, science and medical support, only started boxing seven years ago after first walking into a gym because all his friends had stopped going to the skatepark.

And after hopefully bagging gold for Wales here, Dodd plans to dash home to finish a bathroom in time to go on holiday with his girlfriend, presumably to avoid her saying ‘See you later’ to the ex-skater boy.

Dodd, who fights Northern Irish youngster Clepson Paiva on Thursday, said: “Nothing comes easy at this stage so to stop him in the second round is great for my confidence.

“I thought the referee stopped it at the right time as he was hurt and I was taking control.

"Gold has got to be my ambition. I know I have the skills so it is all about going there and proving it at the highest level. 

“Lots of fighters talk a good game, but it is how you back it up that counts.

“I've got a 10-day bathroom to do the day after the Games finish. I leave here and go back to work on August 9 and go away with my girlfriend on holiday to Rhodes on August 19 so I am on a strict schedule.

"I'd better get it done as I need a holiday and so does the girlfriend."

Dodd went through to the semis as the deserved winner of an entertaining quarter-final.

His opponent Clepson dos Santos Paiva, of Northern Ireland, started strong but couldn't keep up with the Welshman's pace, with Dodd becoming dominant in the third round.

Now, Jake is through to the semi-finals where England's Kiaran MacDonald will be the man trying to stop him going for gold.