Pat McCormack, number one in the world? Tell us something we didn’t already know.
Forgive the flippancy, but it’s official, the 25-year-old has been installed as the planet’s numero uno at welterweight.
The sport’s governing body, AIBA, have unveiled their ratings which see the Washington boxer as top at U69 kilos, with the Great Britain squad having another number one, with Wales’s world middleweight champion, Lauren Price, top at U75 kilos.
It is no more than McCormack deserves after an incredible run of form since a controversial quarter-final defeat to Uzbekistan’s Shakhram Giyasov at the 2017 World Championships in Hamburg.
McCormack has won gold at the Commonwealth Games, EU Championships and European Games, as well as international titles in Romania and Finland.
He reached the 2019 World Championship final in Russia, only to suffer the sheer bad luck of a ghastly cut forcing an early end to his fight against Andrei Zamkovoi just as he seemed to be getting into his rhythm. The home boxer was awarded the win on points.
McCormack said: “I have had a good few years and it’s great that the rankings reflect this.
“I was gutted to lose the world final, particularly given the way it happened with the clash of heads, but I am focused on Tokyo now.
“To know that I am ranked number one in the world is a big confidence boost that will help to push me on.”
Tokyo 2020 will now be in 2021 and you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who would not put the Birtley ABC star as the favourite for Olympic gold.
Great Britain’s status as global power in Olympic boxing has been underlined by the world rankings, which place seven members of the GB Boxing squad in the top five in the world at their weight class.
The newly-published ratings have been compiled by the international governing body and are based on ranking points secured since November 2018 at major events.
Peter McGrail is three at featherweight, the same number light-heavyweight, Ben Whittaker holds, while flyweight, Galal Yafai, and heavyweight, Cheavon Clarke, are ranked at number five in the world at their respective weight classes.
Price, as mentioned above, is on top of the world while featherweight, Karriss Artingstall, has shot up the rankings to number five.
Pat’s twin, Luke McCormack, is rated at 13 in the light-welterweight division.
Words: Roy Kelly
