Olympics not sunk in yet says Sunderland boxer Josh Kelly as Team GB is unveiled

Team GB boxers line up for the cameras at the English Institute of Sport

The Sunderland boxer booked his place for Rio last week when he reached the semi-finals of the World Olympic Qualifier in Baku.

And today he was handed his certificate at the English Institute for Sport in Sheffield by Team GB'S Chef de Mission, Mark England, when the British Olympic Association announced their biggest fighting squad since 1984.

"I'm absolutely buzzing but I don't think it's actually sunk in yet," said Kelly, who will represent Team GB at welterweight in Brazil.

"It's starting, little by little, and maybe tomorrow when we get kitted out that might open my eyes that little bit motre that I'm actually there.

"All my family and friends keep saying 'you are going to the Olympics' but at the minute it's an absolutely mad thought."

Kelly goes into Rio in good form, having won a bronze medal in Baku.

The 22-year-old lost out to Souleymane Cissokho, from France, beaten by a unanimous decision, but he'd already "done the job" by winning his quarter-final bout.

"I think I was still buzzing after reaching Rio when I went in to box in the semi-final," said the Houghton ABC mover.

"If I box him in the Olympics, I'll beat him, but there I'd already done the job and maybe took my foot off the gas.

"But I won't do that ahain."

Kelly will be joined on the plane to Rio by Wearside neighbour Pat McCormack, who also qualified in Baku, and Hartlepool's Savannah Marshall

McCormack, the 21-year-old, from Washington, will box at light-welter, with former world champion Marshall fighting at middleweight.

They are part of a 12-strong Team GB squad who are going to Brazil.

“This is the largest boxing squad we’ve taken to an Olympic Games since Los Angeles 1984," said England.

"Team GB has a proud history in Olympic boxing and it’s fantastic to see that tradition continue with this class of 2016.

"These 12 boxers can go to Rio 2016 full of confidence and can expect to challenge with the very best on display in the ring in Brazil.”