Dancing on Ice, Strictly, I’m a Celebrity.
Just three A-list avenues open to Pat McCormack should he strike gold at the Olympic Games.
Brilliant on his feet as he has already proven in an amazing boxing career to date, glory at Tokyo 2020 would take the North-East fighter to a new level.
If the welterweight clinches glory in Japan after a string of medal success in other top competitions the world could become his oyster.
Could the lad from Washington cope with fame?
“I’m not really into spiders so I wouldn’t really like the jungle,” said the 24-year-old, revealing a rare weakness in the McCormack armoury.
“I’m more into ice skating, I can spin and go backwards and that, so I’d be all right on that.
“Or I might try the X Factor!”
Don’t dismiss McCormack’s ability or self-confidence to tackle something outside the box, if you pardon the pun, but the square ring will be his area of expertise.
In 2019 he was a European Games champion and World Championship silver medalist (beaten only after suffering a cut in the final against Andrei Zamkovai), which means he is one of the leading contenders for Olympic gold.
However, before we can even think about Japan, there is the not-so-small matter of having to win a place first.
And that brings us to the Boxing Road to Tokyo Olympic Qualifying event in London from March 14-24.
“It’s great to get the qualifiers in London,” said the Birtley ABC star, who will be joined at the Copperbox Arena by twin Luke in the Great Britain team.
“I’ve never boxed in a tournament in England since I’ve been on the squad.
“To qualify in London in front of all my friends and family is going to be unbelievable.
“I think the full club will come down to watch and support.
“I remember four years ago I was just trying to get as fit as I could be, but it’s not enough, you need to be smart, your tactics need to be right, you need to be relaxed and good under pressure.
“Now that I’ve won the Euros and reached the final of the worlds I’ve been there and done it so I know what I need to do.”
Up to 450 men and women from as many as 50 countries will compete at the event at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where 77 places at Tokyo will be at stake.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: GB Boxing
