Gavin looks to better Amir Khan in Olympics

on July 30, 2008 by Administrator

Lightweight Frankie Gavin has stated that he believes he can win the gold medal at this year’s Beijing Olympics. The man who became Britain’s first ever amateur world champion aims to go one better than Amir Khan did four years ago.

In 2004, Khan won the silver medal in Athens and Gavin has stated that there is ‘no reason’ why he can’t bring home a gold medal for Britain. A fantastic attitude to have I must say. Normally British sportsmen or women have the ‘we’ll see what we can do’ attitude, so it’s refreshing to hear such positive comments from a young boxer.

Unlike Amir Khan – who was the only man to represent British boxing in 2004 – Gavin is part of an eight man team that have qualified for the games. Between them, they will be looking to bring home lots of medals – that’s for sure. British boxing is in a good state right now and it would be well deserved if the amateur team have lots of success in Beijing.

So why is there more representatives this time round? Why has the amateur scene improved so much? Well, Gavin believes it is down to three things.

1. Hard Work
2. Preparation
3. English Institute of Sport in Sheffield

The final point about the Institute of Sport is the key in my view. As Gavin says, the whole system has improved. It is designed to foster the talents of our elite athletes, including amateur boxers. It is led by Steve Cram and is funded by lottery money. Young athletes such as Frankie Gavin certainly value its presence.

Talking specifically about Gavin again, he believes he has two main rivals for the lightweight gold medal -Russia’s Alexey Tischenko and Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas. Other than them though, the 23-year-old certainly feels he is one of the favourites for the title and as a world amateur champion – why shouldn’t he? I’m certainly going to place a boxing bet on him bringing home the gold.

Written by Thomas Rooney - A Freelance Sports Journalist