Great Britain unveil strong World Championships squad
Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Great Britain have selected a 12-man team for the World Championships in Azerbaijan later this month.
The tournament takes on added significance because all quarter-finalists will achieve the Olympic qualifying standard.
Andrew Selby and Fred Evans, who won gold at the European Championships, and Commonwealth Games champion Simon Vallily, head a strong team.
"The squad is in very good shape," said GB Boxing's Rob McCracken
Great Britain have won 33 medals in nine elite international tournaments this year, picking up 13 golds, six silvers and 14 bronzes.
The World Championships run from 22 September until 10 October and performance director McCracken is anticipating a tough test for his men.
"The Worlds are very much the focus for this year and will be even tougher than normal as it is an Olympic qualifying event," he said.
"All of the top nations will have been working to ensure their boxers are in peak condition for this tournament.
"This will be the biggest challenge the boxers have faced so far but, as long as they maintain the standards of performance they have set for themselves this year, they will have every chance of qualifying for London and securing the opportunity to compete on the greatest stage of all."
As part of their final preparations, the GB team will spend a week at a training camp in Bugeat, France before flying to Baku five days before the competition begins.
Great Britain squad
Charlie Edwards, 49kg, Lynn ABC (London)
Khalid Yafai, 52kg, Birmingham City (Birmingham)
Andrew Selby, 52kg, Splott ABC (Barry)
Luke Campbell, 56kg, St Paul's (Hull)
Martin Ward, 60kg, Repton (London)
Tom Stalker, 64kg, Salisbury (Liverpool)
Josh Taylor, 64kg, Lochend (Edinburgh)
Scott Cardle, 69kg, Kirkham (Lytham)
Fred Evans, 69kg, St Joseph's (Cardiff)
Antony Ogogo, 75kg, Triple A Boxing Club (Lowestoft)
Simon Vallily, 91+kg, South Bank ABC (Middlesbrough)
Anthony Joshua, 91+kg, Finchley ABC (London)
