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31/01/2008
Strandja Tournament, Plovdiv, Bulgaria (30th Jan - 4th Feb)
Six GB boxers are in action this weekend at what promises to be a fiercely contested warm-up to the first European Qualification Tournament in Pescara, Italy (24th February). The field looks to be extremely strong, with even the Cubans sending a team over on a rare European recce.
The British boxers in attendance are:
Weight | Boxer | Nationality/Club |
51kg | Khalid Yafai | ENG/ Birmingham City ABC/Moseley, Birmingham |
54kg | Chris Jenkins | WAL/ Cwmgors ABC/ Cwmgors/ Swansea |
57kg | Tom Stalker | ENG/ St Aloysius ABC / Huyton/ Liverpool |
69kg | Billy Joe Saunders | ENG/ Hoddesdon ABC / Hatfield/ Herts |
75kg | James DeGale | ENG/ Dale Youth PC Club/ Nottinghill, London |
91kg | Stephen Simmons | SCO/ Leith Vic AAC/ Edinburgh |
The tournament is of particular significance to Tom Stalker and Billy Joe Saunders who are still in the mix for selection to the GB team competing in Pescara.
Billy Joe Saunders is looking to continue his fine, undefeated, senior international run, which has seen him win Gold at the Commonwealth Feds (July 2007), beat Greg Carter (USA) in a third round stoppage at York Hall and win Gold at the Tammer Tournament in Finland (December 2007).
Tom Stalker needs to bounce back from the achilles injury that forced him to withdraw from the recent Sheffield multinations if he is to make an impression on GB Head Coach Terry Edwards and boost his selection chances.
Chris Jenkins will build on his already impressive international experience, but has no prospect of Olympic qualification at 54kg due to being blocked by GB teammate Joe Murray, whose fine bronze medal performance at Chicago secured him an Olympic berth.
Khali Yafai, selected for Pescara, is returning following a hand injury that prevented him from competing in Finland and Sheffield.
James DeGale, selected for Pescara, plans to further sharpen up following his impressive wins over Frenchman Samy Anouche and Olympic Champion Bakhtiyar Artayev (KAZ) at the recent Sheffield multinations.
Stephen Simmons, selected for Pescara, is returning for his first competitive outing since losing so agonisingly in the last seconds of his last 16 bout in Chicago. He has since had an elbow operation and needs to shake off any ring rust before the trip to Italy.
GB Head Coach Terry Edwards: 'This tournament is key preparation for Pescara. We are now just over four weeks out from the Olympic qualifier and all of our boxers are now focussing on that goal. Three of our boxers are returning from injury and it is vital that they get some good competition before Italy. The other half of the senior GB squad is travelling to Dublin on Sunday to joint train with the Irish and French Olympic hopefuls.'
David Price +91kg and Darran Langley 48kg were both withdrawn at short notice due to injury/illness.
The team is being supported by coach Lee Pullen and EIS physio Mike Plush.
Full results to follow...