Lauren Price Hailed As “World Class” As Welsh Boxing Trio Start Tokyo Bid

Lauren Price

Wales’ trio of world class amateur boxers are all safely on the first stage of their road to this year’s Tokyo Olympic. Recently crowned world champion Lauren Price, Rosie Eccles and Sammy Lee have all made the Great Britain team for the Tokyo Olympic qualifier at the Copper Box in London in five weeks’ time. It means Wales will have three fighters in the group of eight men and five women who will carry the fight for GB. They will be part of more than 350 boxers from over 40 countries who will compete for 77 places at Tokyo 2020 at the qualifiers from March 14-24.

Wales’ trio of world class amateur boxers are all safely on the first stage of their road to this year’s Tokyo Olympic.

Recently crowned world champion Lauren Price, Rosie Eccles and Sammy Lee have all made the Great Britain team for the Tokyo Olympic qualifier at the Copper Box in London in five weeks’ time.

It means Wales will have three fighters in the group of eight men and five women who will carry the fight for GB. They will be part of more than 350 boxers from over 40 countries who will compete for 77 places at Tokyo 2020 at the qualifiers from March 14-24.

Price, at middleweight, is joined by fellow 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist and middleweight Lee as Wales gains representation in both the men’s and women’s teams.

Alongside Price will be another Welsh medalist, silver medal winner at the Gold Coast in 2018, Eccles at welterweight.

Great Britain performance director Rob McCracken hailed the talent of the group and Price in particular.

“The men are a capable and battle-hardened group that have gained a lot of experience on the international circuit over the course of this Olympic cycle and know what is required to be successful at the top level,” said McCracken.

“The women’s squad has made good progress in the last 18 months and in Lauren Price we have an established world class boxer.”

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT☝☝ The team has been selected for the European Olympic Qualifying event in London March 14th-24th. I cannot wait to get in there and show you all what I am capable of along with this team I am proud to be a part of. I will do all it takes to the job done. pic.twitter.com/L6UnhLRzio

— Sammy Lee (@sammylee173) February 6, 2020

“The team has a good combination of experience and natural talent. The men and women had an excellent year in 2019, winning 16 medals at four majors so they are coming into the qualifier on the back of a good run of form.

“Having the event in London is a great opportunity for the boxers and hopefully having the crowd on their side will inspire them to produce their best.”

Seven of the eight men selected have won at least one medal at a World or European Championship.

Three won medals at the last World Championships in Russia – welterweight Pat McCormack, featherweight Peter McGrail and light-heavyweight Ben Whittaker.

They will be joined by four silver medallists from the European Championships in Ukraine in 2017 – flyweight Galal Yafai, light-welterweight Luke McCormack, heavyweight Cheavon Clarke and super-heavyweight Frazer Clarke.

GB Boxing team for Tokyo Olympic qualifying event – Copper Box, London, March 14-24:

Women:

Charley Davison, flyweight (51kg), Karriss Artingstall, featherweight (57kg), Caroline Dubois, lightweight (60kg), Rosie Eccles, welterweight (69kg) Lauren Price, middleweight (75kg).

Men:

Galal Yafai, flyweight (52kg), Peter McGrail, featherweight (57kg), Luke McCormack, light-welterweight (63kg), Pat McCormack, welterweight (69kg), Sammy Lee, middleweight (75kg), Ben Whittaker, light-heavyweight (81kg), Cheavon Clarke, heavyweight (91kg), Frazer Clarke, super-heavyweight (91kg+)