Fancy a chance to watch Pat McCormack (and his friends) going about their business? And in this country?
Then book some time off in March because Great Britain’s amateur boxers will be out to secure their Olympic places – in London.
Our capital will be the host city for the European qualifier and the Copper Box the venue from March 14-24 when world championship medalists McCormack, Peter McGrail and Ben Whittaker will be favourites to book their Team GB spots for Tokyo.
The qualification process was a long, drawn-out affair ahead of Rio, but it looks a more straight-forward situation this time.
London is one of just four continental events with a final world qualification event taking place in Paris in May.
A visit to the French capital sounds very nice indeed but Pat and the Brits will want to get the job done at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and avoid the last chance saloon in France.
Up to 450 men and women from as many as 50 countries will compete at the London event, which has 77 Olympic places at stake.
The competition will feature eight men’s weight categories and five for women. 50 qualification places are available for the men and 27 for women.
Eight men and five women from the GB Boxing squad will be selected to compete in London which is the first opportunity for the boxers to qualify for Tokyo 2020
The World Qualification Event will give athletes a second chance to qualify and will therefore be open only to those boxers who have not yet qualified for the Games.
But London and the Copper Box Arena on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is THE event on the horizon.
GB Boxing’s Performance Director, Rob McCracken said: “Our boxers had a very good year in 2019, when the men and women won 16 medals at four major competitions, so they are coming into 2020 in a good run of form.
“The qualifier will be very tough, as a lot of the European nations are strong in boxing, so it is good that it is taking place in this country.
“Hopefully the home support will spur our boxers on and help them to perform at their best.”
Simon Morton, Chief Operating Officer at UK Sport added: “Our ambition is to remain a world leading host of major international sporting events.
With the help of significant National Lottery investment we are excited to be welcoming Europe’s best boxers to London in March.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: GB Boxing
