World Series showdown is set to be a knockout!
AMATEUR BOXERS FEATURE IN BRITISH LIONHEARTS’ TEAM AT TYNESIDE EVENT
NORTH East amateur boxing stars Pat McCormack and Calum French will lead a British Lionhearts team at Gateshead in February as World Series Boxing comes to Tyneside.
The Great British boxing stars are delighted to have the chance to perform on home soil for the first time in years due to their international adventures.
Both are part of the GB boxing squad, McCormack a Rio Olympian and European Championship silver medallist and French a European bronze winner.
The show will see the British Lionhearts franchise take on the Croatian Knights at Gateshead Leisure Centre on February 18 as part of the competitions group stage.
McCormack said of the homecoming: “I love competing in WSB and cannot wait to finally get the chance to box for the Lionhearts in the North East in front of my family and friends.
“I have a great record in WSB and was voted ‘Boxer of the Season’ in 2016 so I am hoping to continue my unbeaten run in the competition.
“The WSB events are much more like a professional show with a weigh-in the day before, face-offs and a ring walk on the night, so it creates a really great atmosphere.
“As a member of the GB Boxing squad I usually compete overseas and it is more than six years since I boxed in the North East, so to be able to box at home and in a WSB event is going to be brilliant.”
French echoed his Birtley ABC team-mate’s excitement. H
e said: “I have only ever competed in WSB either overseas or in London so to have a match right on my doorstep in Gateshead is fantastic.
“WSB is a really great format of boxing and I hope fight fans in the region get behind it and come out to support the team which will contain a strong North East contingent.”
Now in its eighth season, WSB is team-based format competition which will see five bouts between the two franchises on the night.
The team which wins the most bouts will be the winner overall.
It bridges the gap between Olympic and professional boxing and boxers compete without vests or headguards over five three-minute rounds. It has been the breeding ground of future professional stars, including Joe Joyce, Joshua Buatsi and Vasyl Lomachenko.
The British Lionhearts’ head coach Rob McCracken - who is also the coach of IBF, WBA and IBO world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua - added: “WSB is a top-class competition.
“All of the leading nations and the best boxers take part in it and WSB shows feature five, evenly-matched, high-quality bouts.
“Pat and Calum are very talented boxers with a good track record in the competition and it is great they are going to have the opportunity to compete in the WSB in front of their home fans.
“The North East is one of Great Britain’s boxing hotbeds and has consistently produced boxers that are part of the GB boxing squad so it is great we are able to take this competition to the region and put on a show for the fans.”
The show coming to the North East is part of a decision from the franchise bosses to move tour the team around Britain, having previously hosted all home ties in London.
The Lionhearts were semi-finalists last season, losing out to eventual winners Kazakhstan.
There was much coverage of them too when they were caught up in the Westminster terror attack before their group clash with Italy.
They were visiting Parliament on the day of the attack and Low Fellborn Lionhearts’ coach Tony Davis bravely responded to the unfolding events, risking his life to try and save PC Keith Palmer’s.
Just 24 hours later, the WSB show went ahead, both McCormack and French winning their bouts.
On bringing a WSB show to Gateshead, Councillor Angela Douglas, Council Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, Gateshead Council, said: “Gateshead Council takes enormous pride in welcoming such a prestigious sporting event to the area.”
Early-bird discount tickets for British Lionhearts vs Croatian Knights at Gateshead Leisure Centre on Friday February 18 are on sale, priced £15, at www.gbboxing.org.uk/tickets.