Cheavon Clarke says joining GB Boxing in 2017 reignited his passion for the sport and allowed him to kick-start the dream of becoming an Olympian.
The Kent heavyweight will look to book his place at this summer’s Olympics at the Road to Tokyo qualifying event at London’s Copper Box, which runs from March 14-24.
Having previously hung up his gloves in 2016, Clarke could barely have imagined being in contention for the Olympics four years later, but a return to the ring and subsequent switch from representing Jamaica to England changed the trajectory of his career and life.
The 29-year-old earned a spot on GB Boxing’s world class performance programme in January of 2017 and credits the set up with sewing the seed of an Olympic ambition.
“My dream of becoming an Olympian has only manifested itself since I got on the GB programme,” Clarke said.
“Since I have been on the programme, I have won a medal at all the major tournaments I have been to except the worlds. I have always been beaten by the gold medallist at the worlds.
“It has been amazing to have five coaches watching me every time I train and has helped me improve so much. They have to be credited with how much I have come on and how quickly I have been able to get better as well.”
Clarke’s brief leave of absence from the world of boxing came on the back of a poor showing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and was accompanied by the most unlikely of career changes.
He spent two years working as a HGV driver, a job he reflects on positively, before he was convinced leaving boxing behind forever would be a waste of his considerable talent.
The decision to return has been rewarded with silver at the 2017 European Championships and bronze medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2019 European Games.
2020 could yet top any of his previous years and, while Clarke accepts his journey to the cusp of Olympic qualification has taken a scenic route, he believes his previous experiences have shaped the fighter he is today.
“It is exciting to be where I am from where I was, but I never look at the two years out as anything other than being a part of my process. I believe in hard work and I have worked to be where I am,” he said.
“It is obviously a big year but every year is big. Every year has contributed to where I am and contributed to what could happen over the next nine months.
“I am excited and it is about keeping calm now and delivering on what I have been working towards starting at the qualifiers.”
Such has been Clarke’s rise up the pecking order of his division, he will arrive at the Road to Tokyo event as a strong contender to emerge as one of eight men to be selected by Team GB.
The chance to fight at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s iconic Copper Box is one which Clarke is relishing and he expects an electric atmosphere.
He will not allow the occasion to get the better of him though, and says his focus remains on the here and now rather than the rewards on offer.
“I expect it to be unbelievably loud. Usually I like to box behind enemy lines, but to have the crowd behind you, shouting at every opportunity, I can’t wait. It will give me that extra boost to deliver,” he said.
“I am focused on delivering in the qualification. If you let yourself look too far ahead, you can trip up and then the chance to deliver the goals you have set yourself is gone.”
Sportsbeat 2020