Macdonald, McCormack fly flag for Wearside
Wearside boxers Pat McCormack and Kiaran Macdonald are gunning for success this week in the 2017 International Strandja tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria after being selected for the GB Boxing team.
The Strandja tournament is Bulgaria’s biggest annual boxing event, attracting over 30 countries to compete, with over 200 boxers taking part in the event.
Countries competing include India, Kazakhstan, USA, Canada, Thailand and Uzbekistan.
This will be McCormack’s first appearance at an international tournament since the Rio Olympic Games.
McCormack, who has moved up a weight since the Olympics, will be making his international debut in the welterweight division.
Macdonald, fighting in the 49kg category, will take on Nicola Cordella of Italy.
GB Boxing’s Podium Potential boxer Niall Farrell will be making his senior international debut.
After winning a bronze medal at the 2016 England Elite Nation Championships, Farrell will be looking to secure his place on the podium.
The preliminary rounds opened yesterday and the tournament runs until Sunday.