OnThEGRiND BoXiNG

Top boxers from England, Scotland and Wales will go head-to-head in Liverpool as the three nations seek to identify the future Olympic stars of London 2012.

The British Amateur Boxing Association’s first ever Championships will be held at the Liverpool Olympia on Friday May 29th, with box-offs taking place on Thursday May 28th.

And the prestigious event has huge significance this year for the national champions of England, Scotland and Wales as it will act as a qualifier for the next World Championships.

40 boxers from across England, Scotland and Wales will compete across 11 Olympic weights. Emerging stars who will lay down their credentials include Commonwealth Youth Games bronze medalist Tommy Stubbs (Northside ABC, Manchester), World junior bronze medalist Gamal Yafai (Birmingham Police ABC), Commonwealth Games silver medalist Darran Langley (Hollington ABC, London) and ABA gold medalist Tom Stalker (St Aloysius, Liverpool).

European bronze medalist Andrew Selby (Splott ABC, Barry) and GB squad team mate Lewis Rees (Rhondda ABC, Llywynypia) are among those representing Wales, along with identical twins James and Matthew Innes. Scotland’s brightest hopes include European cadet silver medalist Robert Wright (Clydeview ABC, Glasgow) and experienced international Steven Sharoudi (Forgewood ABC, Motherwell).

Paul King, Chief Executive of the ABAE, said: ”The British Championships is a title everyone wants to win but even more so this year with the incentive of going to the World Championships. I’m delighted Liverpool is hosting the event as its boxing pedigree is of the highest order and it knows how to deliver a great sporting occasion.”

The British Amateur Boxing Association Championships will be broadcast on Setanta Sports TV channel.

Event: British Amateur Boxing Association Championships 2009.
Date: Finals, 7.30pm, Friday, May 29th
Box-offs, 6pm, Thursday, May 28th
Venue: The Olympia, Liverpool