Jack Bateson on not making Rio Olympics, fears of failing and option of turning pro
Friday 24 March 2017 12:08, UK
Dreams. We all have them, particularly when we're young. We feel invincible and convinced our ambitions will be achieved.
But what happens when those dreams are shattered, the gameplan shredded and our confidence battered? Just ask flyweight boxer Jack Bateson.
The 21-year-old from Leeds recently found out he won't be at the Olympics. His battle for Rio qualification in vain. So what's next for the Sky Academy Sports Scholar? Quitting, turning pro or fighting to be at the 2020 Tokyo Games?
Jack reveals his heartache, mental turmoil and how he's dealing with the fears and thrills of finding a new path to his dreams....
My head's been a mess for a few weeks. At first I didn't want to do anything. I wasn't talking to anybody or even thinking about boxing.
When I went out people asked about the Olympics and I had to tell the story again. It hurt. It's starting to sink in now though and I'm realising for whatever reason Rio won't be happening.
I just have to look at what's next and think about the bigger picture and where I could end up. It's all part of the journey and I just have to take a different route. I'm telling myself it's all happening for a reason.
Not qualifying slowly happened. Last year I was supposed to box GB team-mate Muhammad Ali but when he pulled out a week before I had a funny feeling the fight just wouldn't happen and that selection wouldn't be down to me.
I had a few tough tournaments and a few decisions went against me. I wasn't selected for the European qualifiers and I thought Ali might mess up. He went there and won! That cancelled out any chance of me going to the next qualifier.
It's strange because I worked so hard all these years for one opportunity to go to Rio and I haven't even had the chance to qualify. It would have been tough for the GB coaches and selection though. They have to let us down but still have to train those they selected. They are stuck in the middle.
But you can't have that awkwardness - it's their job to choose someone. You have to respect their opinion and sometimes we might not - and I definitely didn't at the time - but you have to take it on the chin. It's out of your control and you have to move on and not hold grudges.
I do ask myself what happens if all of this that's happening keeps happening and I become the 'nearly guy' or 'unlucky guy'. I hope I look back and smile one day but you just don't hear about these guys. Hopefully I won't be one of those!
I do have doubts, especially after my bad run but I just need to get back on a winning streak. I still spar and compete with the guys that are going to the Olympics. Life's all about just a split-second difference and maybe a little change and you think that could have been me in Rio.
Turning pro is a serious option. It will happen sooner or later, whether it's one year or four years down the line. At the minute, Leeds is buzzing. I've been to the Leeds arena and experienced the atmosphere. The Leeds fans really get behind their local boxers and I'd love that to be me one day - marching out with all the chants, with my support team - I'm pretty sure that will come.
One week I think one thing, and then it's the opposite. I feel certain to go pro, but then I go to Sheffield to train with Team GB and I come home and go the other way. I stay on and then I think I will go pro again.
After visiting Sky Studios the other week and taking advice from the Scholarship team, I think I will stay on a bit longer. I will see out the Sky Academy Scholarship scheme and see where I head.
I've spoken to all my friends who all believe in me. They say I'm ready to turn pro if needs be and they also believe I'm capable of winning an Olympic medal if I stay on. But everybody has a different opinion.
I've also had chats with former boxer and Sky Boxing pundit Johnny Nelson - he was really positive with me. He gave me his own examples of what happened to his career and that's how you have to think.
He had a terrible start to his career and look where he ended up. It's not how you start, it's how you finish. I didn't make the Olympics but I haven't had a bad start - I'm on the GB squad and the dream is not over if I don't want it to be.
I just need to get back into the ring and use this as fuel to the fire. Enjoyment is a massive part of it. If I enjoy it in Sheffield then why not continue and fulfil my dream? I have great people around me with the Scholarship team, my family and trainers and I know I'll be fine.
Whatever I choose, I still love my boxing. Having a break for a few weeks has made me more passionate. I've got itchy knuckles and I want to get back into the gym. This year has been non-stop and a breather has given me time to reflect on myself and realise what's happened and made me just move on.
It's a bit scary though. Failure scares me more than anything in the world. That's the failure of achieving what I've always believed I would achieve. Growing up as a young kid I dreamt of going to the Olympics, turning pro and becoming world champion. But it doesn't always work out like that.
My top dream is becoming world champion as a pro. I used to watch boxing on TV seeing fighters lift world titles - that's the dream. I didn't have a clue about the Olympics when I was younger. When I started maturing and knowing more about boxing, the Games were my first goal. That's the pinnacle of the amateur game. If I can't achieve that or it's delayed then so be it.
It's all on me now and I need to find that direction. I know I'm capable of achieving big things and I will be even more determined and happy to achieve that because I was pushed back. This will push me and drive me and it may be the best thing to ever happen to me.
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS
19-27 MAY: Savannah Marshall, World Championships in Kazakhstan
27 MAY: Lucy Garner, Boels Hills Classic
29 MAY: Lucy Garner, Gooik
10-16 JUNE: IPC Athletics European Championships in Grosseto, Italy
23-26 JUNE: Lucy Garner, National Road Cycling Championships in Stockton-on-Tees
