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19/02/2008
Winning teams get together in Sheffield
ENGLAND's Olympic amateur prospects met with the cream of the South Yorkshire boxing scene on the canvas in Sheffield, ahead of their forthcoming Olympic qualifier in Pescara.
The squad spent an afternoon training with IBF light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods and his stable mates at South Yorkshire Sports Academy, run by Clinton's manager Dennis Hobson and his trainer Richard Poxon.
The result was some dazzling sparring, which should spur on the squad ahead of their two remaining qualifying events in Italy and Greece.
GB Head Coach Terry Edwards said: "Sessions like this are essential for both the physical and mental preparation of our boxers in the build up to big events. I'd like to thank Dennis and Richard for letting us spar with their boxers.
"The sparring was first rate. I am sure their lads got something from it too. We now have excellent relationships throughout Sheffield. Before the World Championships in Chicago, Brendan and Dominic Ingle helped us out; let's hope we reap similar dividends from this session."
Femi Fehintola, Gavin Smith, Mark Krence and Lee Swaby were on hand to put their amateur counterparts through their paces. Also present were local councillors Terry Fox and Garry Weatherall, who have been lending their support to boxing in the city.
An impressed Clinton, who had over 70 amateur bouts as a junior said: "Amateur boxing in Britain today is in brilliant health. It's incredible that we've got four amateurs already qualified for the Olympics and two more qualifiers still to come."
Pics by Garry Weatherall...
