Skip to content

Galal Yafai, Joe Joyce, Nicola Adams and more in Team GB squad

Great Britain Boxing Team, 2016 Olympics

After a record haul of medals at London 2012, Team GB have named its largest boxing squad in history to go even better in Rio.

The men and women who have travelled to Brazil offer a mix of experience and promise, so here is your guide to the dozen who are out to bring medals back to Britain...

Galal Yafai - Light-Flyweight

Galal Yafai

The Birmingham southpaw has surprised many by making it to the Games. He seems to have come from nowhere but has boxing in his blood. Older brothers Kal and Gamal are undefeated professionals and Kal is a former Olympian himself. Improving so fast it's tough to rule him out.

Muhammad Ali - Flyweight

Muhammad Ali

From the same Bury amateur gym as Amir Khan, Mo Ali is a physically strong, relentless 20-year-old hope. He got the pick over Sky Scholar Jack Bateson and duly won silver at the Europeans.

Qais Ashfaq - Bantamweight

Qais Ashraq

Like Nicola Adams, Qais is from Leeds. The confident stylist is in a very tough division but seems to be peaking at the right time. The key for him is to stick to his boxing and not get involved in scraps. 

Joe Cordina - Lightweight

Joe Cordina

The only Welsh hope is one of the most experienced of the men's team. Cordina is a very fluid mover and elusive, too. He is still aged just 24 and seems to be peaking at the right time. A joy to watch.

Pat McCormack - Light-Welterweight

Pat McCormack

The 21-year-old from Birtley Boys Club has a twin boxing brother in Luke. Both are very talented but it's Pat who goes to Rio. No doubt the double national champion will do the north east proud.

Also See:

Josh Kelly - Welterweight

Josh Kelly

Josh has the model looks to become a cross over star. The Sunderland hopeful nearly turned his back on the sport after a dip in form and struggle with his weight. But he is now back to his best.

Anthony Fowler - Middleweight

Anthony Fowler

A cousin of footballing star Robbie, Anthony now has the chance he has dreamed of. On his night, he can beat just about anyone but the injury-prone boxer needs to ensure his bouts are not too gruelling.

Joshua Buatsi - Light-heavyweight

Joshua Buatsi

The likeable Buatsi has a real professional style while being physically strong and tough to beat. He has improved so much in the past couple of years and fears no-one.

Lawrence Okolie - Heavyweight

Lawrence Okolie

To some extent a novice after boxing just 25 times, Okolie is a real wildcard in Rio. The Londoner makes up in tenacity what he lacks in experience. 

Joe Joyce - Super-heavyweight

Joe Joyce

The 30-year-old veteran of the team, South Londoner Joyce is an intriguing character. An artist and gymnast, Joe is very physically imposing and walks opponents down and looks a good prospect for gold in Rio.

Nicola Adams - Flyweight

Nicola Adams

Along with the American middleweight Claressa Shields and Ireland's lightweight Katie Taylor, Adams is also bidding to become a two-time Olympic champion. At 33, Nicola is vastly experienced and was back on form in the qualifiers.

Savannah Marshall - Middleweight

Savannah Marshall

By her own admission, Marshall under-performed at London 2012. Now she has a shot a redemption and remains the only person to have beaten reigning Olympic champion Shields. Confidence is everything with Savannah.

Around Sky