Harsh draw for GB boxers
Team GB's boxing coach Terry Edwards has admitted that the Olympic draw in Beijing "had not been kind".
Last Updated: 08/08/08 7:39am
Team GB's boxing coach Terry Edwards has admitted that the Olympic draw in Beijing "had not been kind".
With the fallout from medal favourite Frankie Gavin's withdrawal far from over, the boxing team suffered another blow with the announcement of the draw.
Super-heavyweight David Price must start against Russia's European champion and world number one Islam Timurziev, while James Degale must overcome world champion Matvei Korobov later in the draw if he is to win a medal.
Welterweight hope Billy Joe Saunders starts against world No.3 Adem Kilicci, while flyweight Khalid Yafai has a second-round meeting with top Cuban Andry Laffita after receiving a first-round bye.
The draw has been slightly kinder to light-welterweight Bradley Saunders and heavyweight Tony Jeffries.
Saunders should at least reach the last eight where he is likely to meet Bulgarian European champion Boris Georgiev, while classy Hungarian Imre Szello could await Jeffries in the quarter-finals.
Edwards said: "It's an unseeded draw and it has not been kind to us. All the team have proved they can beat the best in the world and they will have to do it again.
"The draw looks okay for Bradley and Tony Jeffries but otherwise it is very tough. David Price is on good form at the moment but I certainly wouldn't have chosen for him to meet the Russian in his first fight."
