THERE has been a backlash on social media after Amy Broadhurst was selected for Great Britain boxing in the final Olympic qualifier.
GB Boxing had to limit who could comment on the story on their Facebook page as coaches and fans reacted angrily to the news that GB Boxing would send Broadhurst to the 60kgs event in Thailand (May 25-June 2).
Broadhurst has won European, World and Commonwealth Games gold representing Ireland and the family and supporters of Shona Whitwell and Gemma Richardson are delighted with the decision to send the 27-year-old from Dundalk to Bangkok.
St Ives southpaw Whitwell went to the first two qualifiers and Richardson (Scunthorpe) returned with a silver medal at the World Boxing Cup: International Invitational in Colorado earlier this month.
The reaction to Broadhurst’s change on social media has been overwhelmingly positive with the majority of Irish fans backing him.
Broadhurst is looking at the possibility of boxing in Britain after being told Ireland will send welterweight Grainne Walsh to the final qualifier in Bangkok (May 27-June 2).
The IOC website states that athletes can only change nationality after “at least three years have passed since the competitor last represented their former country.”
Broadhurst appears to have been accepted to represent GB Boxing because he has a British passport – his father is from Slough – and is registered with Islington ABC.
At the age of 18, Broadhurst moved to London and coach Reg Hagland reckons he has “a dozen times” for the North London club.
He had spells of sleeping in the gym during his spell in the capital.
Representing Islington, Broadhurst was named Best Boxer at the 2016 Celtic Box Cup in Dungarvan and won the 2018 ABA Championship in its colours.
He also represented London ABA against Sweden in Gothenburg in 2016.
Rob McCracken, GB Boxing’s Director of Operations, said of the decision to select Broadhurst: “GB Boxing’s selection process dictates that we select individuals who demonstrate the ability to qualify and win a medal at the Olympic Games and, after careful consideration of all Olympic Games. boxers in the training arena recently and reviewing their past performances in the world’s top-level competitions, the coaches are unanimous in their opinion of which boxer has fulfilled the most criteria in the women’s lightweight division.”
Broadhurst considered a move to GB Boxing some time ago after it became clear that Kellie Harrington would be seeking back-to-back Olympic golds at 60kgs in Paris.
Kellie Harrington (L)
Broadhurst, who predicted at the time that he would get “a lot of sticks” if he took the plunge, had dominated the 2022 Commonwealth Games at 60kgs and won European and World gold at 63kgs.
Light-welterweight is not one of the women’s weight divisions in Paris and with Harrington ranked number 1 with Ireland at 60kgs, Broadhurst was forced to move up to 66kgs.
She just missed out on qualifying for the Olympics at the European Games in Poland last year, losing out to Rosie Eccles (Wales).
The Irish Amateur Boxing Association sent Walsh to a qualifier in Italy in March and she sadly missed out, losing on a split decision to Aneta Rygielska (Poland).
Walsh had two cards for the final bell and three other judges had them.
The judges were asked to choose a winner and all five voted for the Pole.
Broadhurst is considering his options after being told Walsh will be sent to Bangkok for the final qualifier.
She was given a box out to Lisa O’Rourke in 2nd place behind Walsh and she refused.
Patris Mughalzai was selected at 63.5kgs after a run to the finals at the Boxing World Cup in Colorado.
The 21-year-old from Powerday Hooks knocked out 2021 world featherweight champion Jahmal Harvey (USA) and advanced to the semi final against Reese Lynch.
Mughalzai beat the Scottish southpaw by unanimous decision before withdrawing in the final.
Lewis Richardson (Colchester) is sent to Bangkok at 71kgs ahead of 2022 European Champion Harris Akbar (Bradford Police) after both returned from Colorado with bronze medals and Ramtin Musah (Beartown) got his chance at 80kgs.
Welsh light-heavyweight Taylor Bevan (Poseidon) was sent in the first two qualifying events.
Empire light-flyweight Savannah Stubley, bronze medalist at the recent World Boxing Cup, is selected ahead of Demi-Jade Resztan (New Astley) and Elise Glynn (West Warwicks) is the 57kgs selection.
He won the featherweight gold in Colorado with three wins.
Kiaran MacDonald (Sunderland) and Owan Harris-Allan (Apollos) complete the Great Britain team, competing at 50kgs and 57kgs respectively.
Both of them have only won in the playoffs in the previous matches.
GB BOXING TEAM Olympic qualifiers in Bangkok (May 25-June 2).
The number of Olympic berths is in parentheses
Women: 50kgs: Savannah Stubley (3 or 4); 57kgs: Elise Glynn (3 or 4); 60kgs: Amy Broadhurst (2 or 3)
Men: 51kgs: Kiaran MacDonald (4); 57kgs: Owain Harris-Allan (2 or 3); 63.5kgs: Patris Mughalzai (4 or 5); 71kgs: Lewis Richardson (4 or 5); 80kgs: Ramtin Musah (2 or 3).
Statement by AMY BROADHURST
“It has always been a dream of mine to compete in the Olympics and I am delighted to have been selected by GB Boxing to compete in the final qualifier in Thailand in May.
“The decision to pursue an alternative route to the Olympic Games – after I was informed by the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) in March 2024 that I would not be tested for final competition – was not taken lightly and, as a British passport holder, I felt I owed it to myself and everyone else who have supported me throughout my career to do everything possible to continue pursuing my dream of competing on the biggest stage in sports.
“Since I entered the GB Boxing gym, I have been made to feel very welcome by my new colleagues and all the coaches and support staff and I would like to thank everyone at GB Boxing for their support and hard work over the past weeks. for helping to keep my Olympic dream alive and allowing me to have this opportunity.
“My priority now is to continue to train hard, listen to the coaches and give myself the best chance to succeed in the qualifying game and fulfill my dream of getting a place at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
“I have nothing more to add at this time and will not make any further public comments until after the qualifying event in Thailand.”
