Lauren Price Relishing Return To Copper Box On Road To Tokyo Gold

Wales’ world champ Lauren Price will again launch her bid for Olympic glory in London next April.

The Boxing Road to Tokyo European Olympic Qualifying event has been rescheduled for April 22-26 at the Copper Box Arena.

The event will take up from where it was stopped in March this year due to COVID-19.

“This is fantastic news for all of us in the GB Boxing team,” said the 26-year-old middleweight world champ from Newport.

https://twitter.com/LLPrice94/status/1330947498232467457

“The first event being suspended before many of us, including myself, got the chance to box was a massive disappointment.

“I went into the original qualifier on the back of a great run of form and my preparation had been excellent, so it was a blow when the event was stopped, although we soon realised it was the only option in the circumstances.

“Having confirmed dates for the re-scheduled event and knowing it is coming back to London is great news and has given all of the boxers a boost.

“Even without spectators, having the event on home soil is good news and means we don’t have to travel as much and will be competing in a familiar environment.”

Wales’ Lauren Price has world and Commonwealth Games gold – now she wants an Olympic gold medal. Pic: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

The event will feature 178 bouts over the course of the five days with 176 boxers taking part and 77 qualification slots for Tokyo available.

GB Boxing’s Performance Director, Rob McCracken said: “It is very rare that our boxers get to compete in the UK and they were looking forward to the original event so it was a big disappointment when it was suspended before the majority of the team had the chance to box.

“The news that the event is returning to London is great for the team. After a period of uncertainty, it has given all of the boxers a goal to aim towards and we will be working hard to make sure they are in the best possible shape when the qualifier starts again next year.”