Olympic opportunities

Perhaps because of the strength of the Irish and British teams this time round I am looking forward to these Olympics much more than any other since Barcelona 1992, when Michael Carruth, Wayne McCullough and Robin Reid all came home with medals – ironically this was the event that switched me on to boxing in the first place.

I was in Holy Trinity Boxing Club in Belfast on Wednesday doing a round of interviews with Bernard Dunne, Brian Magee, Damaen Kelly and coach Harry Hawkins.

Given the amateur pedigree the three boxers enjoyed it was unsurprising that the conversation eventually ended up with Ireland’s chances in the upcoming Olympics.

Magee and Kelly both boxed for Ireland in Atlanta in 1996, whilst Dunne was on the substitutes’ bench for Sydney four years later.

Given the difficulty of impressing the judges – as well as navigating uncompromising draws and the world’s top boxers I am not foolish enough to put my head on a chopping block and predict medals [even for Frankie Gavin].

But I do believe that there is strength in numbers and think that boxing in this part of the world – both Irish and British – will seldom have a better opportunity to make a major impact.

What is for sure is that the vast majority of British and Irish Olympians will discard their vests and headguards when they return from China. This is reality and I wish the amateur authorities would acknowledge this.

They should be working with the professional game to ensure that boxers turn pro at the right time – because they are going to turn pro anyway. This of course would have to be a two way street with the pros refraining from pinching talent too early.

My rationale is simple. I feel the amateur game could benefit from the promotional expertise of the professional game. I have been to too many sparsely attended quality amateur events not to know that the amateurs don’t know how to sell their product – which at present is excellent.

On the flip side, amateur engagement with the professional ranks could bring much needed regulation and organisation to the pros and could have knock-on benefits in terms of matchmaking for prospects and the elimination of spurious titles.

This of course won’t happen unless governments hold either a carrot or a stick in front of the major protagonists. That said it would be nice.