More than 500 men and women from over 60 countries will compete in the World Boxing Championships in September
Callum Makin and Odel Kamara have both spoken of their pride after being named in the GB Boxing squad for the upcoming World Boxing Championships. The championships will take place from September 4 to 14 at the M&S Bank Arena and will be the first elite-level global championships hosted by World Boxing, which is the new international federation that has been set up to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement.
More than 500 men and women from over 60 countries will compete in the competition, which is the biggest Olympic-style boxing event to be held in the UK since London 2012. The competition will feature competition in 10 weight classes for men and women and be the first time ever that male and female boxers have competed in Olympic-style boxing at the same event for the title of World Boxing Champion.
And Liverpool will be represented by Makin and Kamara, as they have been named in the GB 16-person team.
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Makin will fight in the 75kg division and was recently promoted to GB Boxing’s podium squad after impressing in the academy group, while Kamara will compete in the 70kg competition.
“To be selected for a World Boxing Championships in my home city is a dream come true,” said Salisbury ABC’s Kamara.
“People have been talking to me about it for months and asking me where they can buy tickets.
“It’s great to have finally been selected and means I can now just focus on getting myself in the best possible shape to deliver a performance that will make the home crowd proud.”
While Rotunda ABC man Makin said: “I have not been in the GB Boxing squad for too long, so it was great to be selected.
“The coaches have shown great faith in me and told me they are confident I can operate at this level, so that is a real confidence boost and I am determined to repay them by working hard to be in the best possible shape and deliver a strong performance.
“People in Liverpool love boxing and I have no doubt that this will be a great event and I am looking forward to getting lots of support from the home crowd.”
And GB Boxing’s performance director, Rob McCracken, added: “It is still very early in the cycle for LA28 and this is a relatively inexperienced group, so this tournament will be a really good test for the boxers, as the world championships is one of the toughest assignments in the boxing calendar.
“Having the event in Liverpool is great, as we do not have to travel far and can expect to get some home support, and this is a really good opportunity for the boxers in our squad to make a statement and show that they have what it takes to operate at the highest level of the sport.”
Tickets are on sale and prices start at £15 for Adults and £5 for Concessions (U16, OAPs, Students and those in receipt of benefits). A “buy 10, get one free” offer is available for group bookings.
