Washington Olympic boxer Pat McCormack targeting gold in Rio

There is only one colour in Pat McCormack's mind '“ gold.
Pat McCormack (left), Savannah Marshall and Josh Kelly (right) during the Olympics team announcement at the English Institute of SportPat McCormack (left), Savannah Marshall and Josh Kelly (right) during the Olympics team announcement at the English Institute of Sport
Pat McCormack (left), Savannah Marshall and Josh Kelly (right) during the Olympics team announcement at the English Institute of Sport

Sunderland’s Tony Jeffries won bronze in Beijing in 2008, but the Olympic Games has hardly been a medal-laden path for North-East boxers.

But that could change in Rio given a quarter of Team GB’s 12-strong boxing squad are from the region – McCormack, from Washington, Sunderland’s Josh Kelly and Savannah Marshall, from Hartlepool.

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Britain came away with five medals at London 2012 – including three golds – and McCormack has his eye on one for himself in Brazil, as well as for his local pals.

“The golds are never from up north so hopefully one of us could be the first one, or all of us,” said the Birtley ABC talent. “It would be a dream come true.”

Don’t be surprised to see McCormack on the podium come mid-August, given his position as one of the form men at light-welter.

He’s enjoyed a stunning season in the World Series of Boxing, inspiring Britain to the final, while winning the U64 kilo gold at the World Olympic Qualifier last month in Baku.

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“I have been three bouts unbeaten in WSB, won a tournament in Hungary and just took gold at the qualifier, so I’ve been busy,” he said. “I’ve boxed the world number one, the number two in WSB, I’ve been fighting the top level opposition and been beating them.

“This season, I’ve had 13 bouts and won 12, against top opposition, I’m not worried about anyone.