PAT KEEPS HIS EYE ON THE PRIZE
Pat McCormack is still two fights away from a gold medal match, but he’s already sizing up Russian rival Andrey Zamkovoy in the Olympic final.
M cC or mack started his bid for Tokyo gold by comfortably beating Belarus’ Aliaksandr Radzionau in the men’s welterweight category.
That put the Wear side boxer into the quarter-finals and he will face Uzbekistan’s Bobo-Usmon Baturov on Friday, with victory guaranteeing a medal fight. But McCormack, the top seed and favourite for gold, has one eye on the final, where he's dreaming of a match against world champion Zamkovoy after beating him at the Olympic qualifiers in Paris two months ago.
“The last time I boxed him, I won and said that’s 1-1, Olympic final next. Hopefully, we both get there and I get another win over him for 2-1,” Pat said. “There is no bigger prize in sport than an Olympic gold medal. I have dreamed of that since watching Anthony Joshuaand Luke Campbell win it in London. After this, it’ s the end of the amateurs and time for the pros and the next chapter. I can’t wait.”
McCormack watched his twin brother Luke make progress in the men’s lightweight first round on Monday and was chomping at the bit ahead of his opening bout.
Luke was there to watch brother Pat dominate Rad zion au and was awarded au na ni mous points victory.
“It is better with a crowd there, it’s a bit quiet here, but I can hear my brother and that’ s all that matters,” he said.
“It’s good to get that out of the way, he’s a decent fighter and it was messy. I felt like it was comfortable, it was messy at times but I thought I won easily. I have beaten the Uzbek, who has just won the first fight there, but I want to beat him and rule the world.
“I always reach my ceiling in tournaments and hopefully I will reach it in this one and bring it home.”
Earlier in the week, Luke defeated Manish Kaushik 4-1 to move into the next round of 57kg division. Reacting to the win, Luke said: “He was a tricky opponent, a tough one to start off with.
"He’s a former World Championship bronze medallist and he’s a good fighter, so I’m glad to have gotten the better of him. It’s my Olympic de but so I’ m glad to get the win over a top Indian boxer, but I know I’ ve got to up my game for my next opponent.”
McCormack is set to face Cuban fighter Andy Cruz.