Cheavon Clarke is an Olympic heavyweight boxer – can his plant-based diet power him towards a gold medal?

Can you explain your shift away from a meat-based diet?

"I am plant-based. I used to cook for the boys, I ate meat and loved it. But I wasn't happy with the quality of meat I was getting from the shops. I made the choice to change.

"It has worked out well. I still get the nutrition that I need, our nutritionist tells me."

Would people find it difficult to adjust to a plant-based diet?

"What people really miss is not the actual meat - it's the seasoning on top of the meat.

"You don't have to go cold turkey, you can try one week a month. It's relatively easy."

Can you still get the calories that you need to maintain a heavyweight physique without meat?

"I do. It is definitely achievable."

Do you expect to see more sportspeople adopt a plant-based diet in the future?

"It's down to each individual and I'm not here to influence anybody."

Clarke told Sky Sports: "I'm relieved to have qualified but not excited because I haven't won anything yet. That's just how I attack things.

"The Olympics has only been my dream since 2019. I went to the kitting out for the European Games in Minsk and thought: 'Yo! You get this much kit? You get treated like this? Imagine going to an Olympics!'

"Galal Yafai told me: 'You get given so much kit at the Olympics!'

"I said: 'Bro, I'm going to the Olympics!'

"I like Mike Tyson's style and demeanour. My style is a mix between Tyson, Roy Jones and Sugar Ray Robinson!"