‘Olympic boxing determination would have been insanity – simply ask Anthony Joshua’
The Olympics have been great for boxing but boxing is also great for the Olympics.
The news this week that our sport will stay in the Games and be at Los Angeles 2028 was very welcome. But it would have been madness for the sporting festival that is the Olympics to lose boxing.
Why? Look at the TV figures it brings in for a start.
Especially when you’re thinking about an Olympic Games in America.
I’m sure the broadcasters over there are delighted as they will be in this country. Thanks to the recently-formed World Boxing the amateur sport will stay in the Olympics.
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Richard Brooke is a member of the finance and audit committee for the new governing body.
We worked together at Setanta and BoxNation so I know he is a boxing man and if there are people like him involved then the amateur sport is in good hands.
But this news was great for all forms of the sport. The Olympics can change lives. Lennox Lewis won gold for Canada in 1988 and it catapulted him to fame which helped turn him into a great in the pros.
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Even Audley Harrison, who didn’t crack it in the paid ranks, had his life changed by winning gold at Sydney in 2000. More recently, Anthony Joshua became a superstar by winning gold at London 2012.
Amir Khan won silver in 2004 and we worked together to help him turn professional. James DeGale won gold in 2008 and we worked together.
You look at the heroes that have come out of the Olympics, and what they go on to do and become icons of sport. Sugar Ray Leonard, Muhammad Ali and plenty more.
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I know I prefer to take boxers younger and match them well to develop them as seasoned professionals. But I understand the importance of the Olympics for many. It is vital for funding in our sport and the gyms which create boxers for the Games and the pros rely on that money.
It should also be noted what a boost it is for Team GB. If you look at the money invested in GB Boxing and the medal return, it has been an undoubted success compared to other sports on a pro-rata basis. The Olympics need boxing as much as boxing needs the Olympics.
