COUNTDOWN TO RIO JOSH’S

Team GB boxers f ired up to follow 2012 star’s lead

ROB McCRACKEN has hailed London golden boy Anthony Joshua for inspiring Team GB’s boxers in their fight for Rio glory.

Joshua won super- heavyweight gold aged 22 at the 2012 Games – less than five years after taking up the sport – and this year became IBF heavyweight champion of the world.

Britain’s head coach McCracken said: “He’s a huge inspiration for our boxers. It shows what can be done.

“Lawrence Okolie in particular certainly looked to him.

“Big Josh won gold at London 2012 as a novice – and Lawrence has barely had 20 fights and only been with us six months or so.

“But Lawrence believes he can do it – and that confidence is a big boost when you travel away to tournaments, like the qualifiers or the Olympics.”

McCracken’s team topped the medal table four years ago, but admits his 2016 squad is lighter on individual experience. champions – you had Luke Campbell, European champion, world silver medallist.

“This time you have Joe Cordina, who became European champion a year ago, and Joyce – t he Commonwealth and European Games champion – but the experience lies between Joyce and Adams, and possibly Marshall.

Stronger

“That said, as a 10- man male team this time it is better quality – at London, wew qualified seven men.

“It shows the potential to catch the judges’ eye. Okolie beat the world No.3 in the qualification in Turkey and won gold.

“You don’t have the Selbys or Campbells but the boxers coming through like Cordina, Pat McCormack and Qais Ashfaq have just as much quality.

“They must go on to the biggest stage and show that – and I think they will.”