Buzzing to be back.
That is Olympic hopeful Pat McCormack as he prepares for a return to international competition this week.
The 25-year-old, from Washington, will be part of the Great Britain squad which is flying to Serbia to take part in the Belgrade Winner Tournament, from Saturday April 24-28.
It is hard to believe, or may be it isn’t given the way life has been turned upside down over the last year or so, that this will be the first bout for the planet’s number one-rated welterweight since September 2019, when he won silver at the World Championship in Russia.
A few of his GB comrades did get to box at the European Olympic qualifier in London in the spring of 2020 (Galal Yafai and Peter McGrail even booked tgir Tokyo places) and three team-mates, Lewis Richardson, Cheavon Clarke and Frazer Clarke, competed at the Bocskai event in Hungary in February.
But, for Pat, this assignment in the Balkans is just what the doctor ordered ahead of the delayed European Olympic qualifier in Paris, which starts on June 4.
“It’s been 18 months since I’ve competed and I can’t wait to get back in the ring,” said the Birtley ABC star.
“During the first lockdown I did have some time off, it was good to have a breather and give my mind a rest, but now it’s good to be back.
“We were meant to box in a few tournaments but they kept getting cancelled, so I am just glad that this one is going ahead.
“I am buzzing at the thought of it.
“There will definitely be some nerves because anything can happen in boxing but I’ve been training hard and have been living the life so I have got no excuses.
“It’s a big period coming up, so the plan is to go and get a gold medal in Serbia then we’ve got the qualifier in about 50 days, then it’s on to the Olympic Games and winning a medal there.”
Pat will have his twin, Luke, for company in Belgrade, with the European Games bonze medallist medal winner boxing in the division below his brother.
Also in action will be Yafai, McGrail, Ben Whittaker, Richardson, Cheavon Clarke, Frazer Clarke, Charley Davison, Caroline Dubois and Rose Eccles.
It is going to be a busy time for Pat and the Brits with the start of the Olympics less than 100 days away.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: GB Boxing
