The journey to the Olympic boxing ring is a lengthy one.
Currently, only five individuals from the British squad have successfully secured their spots for the forthcoming Olympics in Paris. However, there are still eight positions left to be filled, and within the GB team, there are more than eight hopeful individuals. Several of them have already departed from the GB headquarters in Sheffield, leaving their once distant dreams behind.
The Olympic qualifiers held in Poland and Italy were incredibly demanding, and now the ultimate challenge awaits in Bangkok at the end of May. The final qualifying event is known to be the toughest, causing anxiety for many as they await the announcement of the selected team. Unfortunately, for some, this announcement will bring heartbreak.
British boxers were triumphant three times during the final qualifier in Italy, yet their efforts fell short. This serves as a reminder to never underestimate the hurdles a boxer must overcome to make it to the Olympics. To begin with, a boxer must participate in numerous tournaments within the Olympic cycle to gain the necessary experience for an Olympic journey. Subsequently, they face the arduous task of winning four or five times within a seven-day span to secure their spot in the Olympics. Undoubtedly, the constant years of fighting on the elite circuit pose a significant risk of burnout.
Imagine this scenario: You have managed to triumph in nine separate competitions during three qualifiers, yet disappointingly, you have been unable to secure a spot in the Olympics each time. Now picture yourself in a situation where you find yourself standing shoulder to shoulder with an individual who claims to be a semi-professional boxer, boasting about having engaged in 50 grueling rounds of sparring with Anthony Yarde. This is certainly not a bar that any boxer with a sense of pride would willingly find themselves in. It is worth noting, as a side note, that it is quite astonishing and evidently false how many individuals assert to have endured 50 rigorous rounds with Yarde.
The journey to Paris has proven to be exceptionally challenging for me. The difficulties were compounded by the changes in men’s weight divisions; the absence of a middleweight category and a drastic jump from 71 kilos to 80 kilos. It appears that middleweight no longer exists. In Rio 2016, men had 10 weight categories, which were reduced to eight in Tokyo 2020, and now further reduced to seven in Paris. Conversely, women had three weight divisions in Rio, which increased to five in Tokyo and now stands at six in Paris. While women required additional weight divisions, men needed to maintain their 10 categories. Unfortunately, the Olympic organizers were unable to find a solution that would satisfy all the numbers, leading to the demise of the middleweight category for men due to logistical constraints.
Amateur boxers, officials, coaches, and everyone involved have faced challenges in recent years. They have had to navigate through disputes, controversies, and uncertainties about whether the sport will even feature in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. This would be a devastating loss. The future of boxing as a prominent Olympic event depends greatly on the success of the upcoming tournament in Paris. The previous boxing event in Tokyo was exceptional, with no issues or problems, and it showcased the sport at its finest.
Bangkok marks the final destination on the journey to Paris, and it is widely known as the chaotic and unpredictable tournament that nobody enjoys. Despite this, Manny Pacquiao is still considered as a potential participant in Bangkok, which serves as a platform for various countries to showcase their professional boxers. Additionally, it attracts fighters from the fringes of different fighting arts, creating a wild and unpredictable boxing showdown. For smaller boxing nations, this event offers a glimmer of hope to sneak in a talented individual. Kevin Smith, leading the Saudi Arabian boxing team, has six men and four women who have a chance at success. Unfortunately, Smith’s efforts often go unnoticed by the media. The selectors from Great Britain will eventually finalize their team of eight for Bangkok. In many ways, this event serves as a dramatic conclusion to a four-year-long season. The ten days spent in Bangkok serve as a harsh reminder that winning gold medals in previous competitions hold little value compared to the ultimate prize, the Olympics. This entire journey is deserving of a movie every four years.
The final opportunity to qualify for Tokyo was cancelled amidst the chaos caused by Covid. However, back in 2016, in Venezuela, the last group of British men embarked on a journey to pursue their childhood dreams in a distant boxing ring. It was utter chaos, and not being able to find the time or resources to join them remains one of my biggest regrets in this field. The scene resembled a vibrant carnival, where the worlds of boxing circus and the Olympics collided in a questionable location on the outskirts of the boxing realm. Vargas was filled with numerous professional boxers, including former world champions like Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam and Amnot Ruenroeg. People were scrambling to make deals and secure their fighter’s spot in the Olympics. Although N’Jikam would go on to claim a world title the following year, Rio did not bring him any joy. Rumors even circulated in Vargas that Pacquaio himself might make an appearance.
During the European qualifier in Turkey, held in April 2016, eight out of the ten British male participants successfully qualified. However, Anthony Fowler had to compete in a box-off to secure the final middleweight spot. Consequently, two British men had to attend the final world qualifier in Vargas, Venezuela, in July, which was less than four weeks prior to the commencement of the Olympic Games. Undoubtedly, this demanding timeline posed a significant challenge.
In the final match, Pat McCormack showcased his boxing prowess by winning gold in the 64-kilo category, giving Haiti’s Richardson Hitchins a valuable lesson in the sport. Meanwhile, at 69 kilos, Josh Kelly secured a bronze medal and earned his spot on the team at the age of 69. Kelly replaced Cyrus Pattinson, who narrowly missed out on qualifying in Turkey. This turn of events was particularly harsh since the two athletes had spent a considerable amount of time training together in Sheffield. McCormack’s journey to securing his first Olympic spot required him to triumph in five matches.
In Bangkok, the GB team is expected to undergo some changes, with the addition of a few new members. There is also a possibility of an unexpected wildcard entry. However, it’s important to remember that these are just rumors. Currently, five athletes have qualified for the Paris Olympics, while the remaining eight hopefuls for the Bangkok selection will have to wait for another six weeks. Boxing has always been a sport of patience and anticipation.
