Olympic boxers say goodbye in good spirits by Ian McNeilly Jul 24th 2008

Seven of the eight Beijing-bound British boxers gathered at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield today to perform their final media duties before heading out to the Olympic Village on Monday. Only World 60kg champion Frankie Gavin was absent. Head Coach Terry Edwards said he had a touch of flu and was staying at home on doctor's advice, although he was expected to join the rest of the team in Sheffield tomorrow. Former Sports Minister – and personal supporter of boxing – Richard Caborn was on hand to send the team off with his best wishes. “You've worked very hard to get where you are today,” said Caborn to the assembled squad, “Now go out there and bring us back some medals!” Indeed, it is with expectation more than hope, for a change, that Britain is sending out its biggest ever boxing squad to an Olympics. Terry Edwards himself is hoping that (with the obligatory ‘bit of luck needed') that the team brings back “quite a few”. Middleweight representative James ‘Chunky' DeGale said, “If I don't bring back a medal I'll be so disappointed. I won't have boxed to my level or fulfilled my potential otherwise. I know that there are other tournaments in the future – even London in 2012 – but I won't be doing myself justice if I don't bring back a medal.” In terms of amateur boxing, today's gathering reflected quite a big turnout with several dozen media in attendance. Family and friends pushed the attendance to more than a hundred. I asked 64kg man Bradley Saunders if this attention was making him nervous. “It does a bit, to be honest,” said the County Durham lad. “It makes you realise that there is a lot of people interested in what we are doing. It's very exciting and I'm really looking forward to getting over there now.” Birmingham flyweight Khalid Yafai was taking it in his stride. “No, the attention doesn't bother me really. I'm just wanting to get in the ring and try my best.” The full team for Beijing is as follows: Khalid Yafai, 51kg, Flyweight Joe Murray, 54kg, Bantamweight Frankie Gavin, 60kg, Lightweight Bradley Saunders, 64kg, Light-welterweight Billy Joe Saunders, 69kg, Welterweight James DeGale, 75kg, Middleweight Tony Jeffries, 81kg, Light-heavyweight David Price, 91kg+, Super-heavyweight (Team Captain) When the Olympic Games opens, watch our sister site http//www.britishamateurboxing.net as Head Coach Terry Edwards will profile all of the Team GB boxers.

Go back Comment on this article | Send to a friend | Print

There are no comments. Click here to be the first who comment on this article.