All eyes are firmly on Tokyo as GB Boxing have announced the fighters who will have the opportunity to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games.
Eight men and five women will compete in the Boxing Road to Tokyo Olympic Qualifying event at the Copper Box Arena in London from 14-24 March, which you can buy tickets for here.
Three medallists from the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Russia have been included as welterweight Pat McCormack, featherweight Peter McGrail and light-heavyweight Ben Whittaker will all take to the ring.
They are joined by four medallists from the 2017 European Championships with flyweight Galal Yafai, light-welterweight Luke McCormack, heavyweight Cheavon Clarke and super-heavyweight Frazer Clarke all selected.
While Sammy Lee, gold medallist for Wales at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the light-heavyweight category, has moved down a weight and is fighting to claim the middleweight spot for Great Britain.
Of the five women selected, world champion Lauren Price will be representing GB at middleweight, with world medallist Karriss Artingstall fighting at featherweight and 2019 European Championship bronze medallist Rosie Eccles at welterweight.
Caroline Dubois, who has never boxed as a senior but is undefeated in the boxing ring, will contest the lightweight division while Charley Davison is the flyweight entry.
And GB Boxing’s performance director Rob McCracken hopes the home crowd will spur on the team to produce their best performances.
“The team has a good combination of experience and natural talent,” McCracken said. “The men are a capable and battle-hardened group that have gained a lot of experience on the international circuit over the course of this Olympic cycle and know what is required to be successful at the top level.
“The women’s squad has made good progress in the last 18 months and in Lauren Price we have an established world-class boxer, whilst Karriss and Rosie have both shown they can win medals at major tournaments.
“Caroline and Charley have not been in the squad long, but they possess a lot of talent and have done enough to the impress the coaches and earn this opportunity to qualify for Toyko.
“The men and women had an excellent year in 2019, winning 16 medals at four majors so they are coming into the qualifier on the back of a good run of form.
“Having the event in London is a great opportunity for the boxers and hopefully having the crowd on their side will inspire them to produce their best.”
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