Great Britain have announced their World Championship team for Russia next month – and the North-East, or rather Birtley ABC, will be there in force.
The McCormack twins, Luke and Pat, and Mark Dickinson will be part of the 13-strong GB squad for the tournament in Ekaterinburg from September 7-21.
Ordinarily, it would have been four Birtley boxers, but Callum French has missed out on selection because of a change in weight categories ahead of the Olympic Games next year.
European and Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Pat McCormack, is one of the principal contenders for the world welterweight title in Russia.
The 24-year-old, from Washington, has not lost since a controversial points defeat to Kazakhstan’s Shakhram Giyasov at the 2017 Worlds in Hamburg and he is looking to maintain that run with Tokyo 2020 around the corner.
Winning has become something of a habit as he told punch-lines at the official squad unveiling at the English Institute for Sport in Sheffield today.
“It’s not a bad thing for a boxer,” smiled Pat (pictured left with brother Luke centre and mark right). “Since I was unlucky to lose to the world champion at the worlds two years ago I’ve not been beaten.
“I’ve won six gold medals and I’m putting my stamp on the welterweight division.
“I’m fit, I feel great and can’t wait to get out there.”
Brother Luke also came back from the European Games with a medal – but was disappointed ‘only’ to get bronze after losing to the excellent French boxer Sofiane Oumiha in the semis.
Luke was third in Minsk at light-welterweight but that division has now been removed – there will now be eight male categories in Russia in line with Tokyo next year.
That means he has been selected at lightweight, the division of his team-mate and friend at club and country.
“It’s no-one’s fault, it’s just a bad situation,” said Luke.
“Frenchy has no luck, I feel bad about it, but I have to look forward to going there and getting on the podium and I’d love to beat the lad from France for a medal.”
Completing the Birtley trio is the just-as-gifted young prospect Dickinson.
The 20-year-old is taking part in only his second major competition having enjoyed an incredible time at junior and youth levels and he hopes to come in ‘under the radar’.
“I’ve only just turned 20 and the European Games was my first major event,” he said. “My rivals haven’t seen me at the big tournaments and I’ve only boxed at a couple of the smaller competitions.
“They might know much about me, but they will soon.”
Eight of the group competed at the 2017 Worlds in Hamburg where Peter McGrail was the only medalist, the Scouser winning bronze at bantamweight.
Great Britain squad: Flyweight (52 kilos) Aqeel Ahmed, Galal Yafai; Featherweight (57 kilos): Peter McGrail; Lightweight (63 kilos): Luke McCormack, Mickey McDonagh; Welterweight (69 kilos): Pat McCormack; Middleweight (75 kilos): Mark Dickinson, San Lazzerini; Light-heavyweight (81 kilos): Sammy Lee, Ben Whittaker; Heavyweight (91 kilos): Cheavon Clarke, Scott Forrest; Super heavyweight (plus 91 kilos): Frazer Clarke
Words: Roy Kelly
