Team Announced for World Boxing Cup: GB Open

More than 20 boxers have been chosen to compete at next week’s multi-nation international competition in Sheffield which will prepare them for the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifier.

Twenty-six men and women have been selected to compete at the World Boxing Cup: GB Open which will be held at the English Institute of Sport (17 – 20 January 2024).

The exciting event will be delivered by England Boxing in association with World Boxing and GB Boxing and is supported by the National Lottery, UK Sport and Sheffield City Council.

Over 100 boxers from 16 countries are set to take-part in the event which is only the fourth elite, multi-nation, Olympic-style boxing competition to be held in Great Britain since London 2012.

It is one of the final tune-up events before the upcoming Olympic boxing qualifier in Milan (4 – 11 March 2024) and the performance of the British boxers at the tournament in Sheffield is expected to have a bearing on selection for the qualifier in Italy, where there is the opportunity to secure a place at Paris 2024.

The event in Sheffield is a new addition to the elite international boxing calendar and is part of the World Boxing Cup series which has been developed by World Boxing, the new international federation established to ensure boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement.

Tickets for the “World Boxing Cup: GB Open – Sheffield 2024” are on sale, starting at £10 (plus booking fee) for a day ticket, at www.seetickets.com and are available to purchase HERE.

The group of boxers selected by GB Boxing is comprised of 14 men and 12 women from England and Wales and includes Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Delicious Orie.

Almost here 🤯

Come and see your fave GB boxers battle it out in the ring next week 🎟️#TimeForWorldBoxing | @RealWorldBoxing

— England Boxing (@England_Boxing) January 10, 2024

The super-heavyweight has already secured qualification for Paris 2024 after winning gold at last year’s European Games in Krakow, which was the first of three Olympic qualifying events for the boxers.

The “World Boxing Cup: GB Open – Sheffield 2024” will be his first competitive appearance since qualifying for Paris and the first time he has boxed in the UK since his success at Birmingham 2022.

Delicious Orie said: “My plan for 2024 is to ensure I’m in peak condition for Paris and to do that I want to get in as many tournaments and training camps as possible and this competition in Sheffield is my first chance to do exactly that.

“It is vital for me to continue my progression and competitions provide you with the experience you need to keep improving as you get the chance to test yourself against different styles of opponents.”

Elsewhere, featherweight Elise Glynn and light-heavyweight Taylor Bevan are just two of several boxers set to compete at the World Boxing Cup in Sheffield who have eyes on being selected for the second Olympic qualifier which is set to take place in Milan from 4 – 11 March 2024.

Glynn said: “It will be great to box in front of a home crowd as we do not get to do it very often.  I am looking forward to it as it means there will be a good atmosphere and we do not have to worry about travelling abroad and getting settled, so we can just get straight into competing.

“It would mean the world to me to get selected to go to the next qualifier. I feel fit, strong and I truly believe I can qualify.”

“I was unlucky at the European Games (first qualifying event) to draw the world number one but I pushed her all the way and felt I did not deserve to lose so that has ignited a fire in my belly to want to push forward to get to the Olympics.”

Taylor Bevan, who will represent Wales at the event, added: “Competing where we are based in Sheffield is a great way to start the year. I will have the chance to go out there in front of friends and family, get some good bouts in and hopefully win a medal.

“It is another good opportunity to get myself as sharp as possible and be in the best possible shape should I get selected for the next qualifier in March.”

The full selection is:

* Participation in the competition is subject to injury.