Gavin withdrawn for his own good - Edwards by British Boxing Aug 7th 2008

Team GB's boxing head coach Terry Edwards has shed further light on lightweight boxer Frankie Gavin's withdrawal from the boxing squad for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Gavin left the BOA Preparation Camp in Macau on Thursday (August 7) after failing to reach the –60kg weight limit for his class, and Edwards explained: “We always said it was going to be a struggle, and obviously it was a struggle for young Frankie. “He gave 110 per cent but if you understand the weight-making process it is the last bit, where you have to shed the water, that is crucial. “In the climate in Macau he had obviously shed a lot of water and body fluid, and he then became extremely dehydrated. “In the end there was nothing left to come off and at that stage I took the responsibility of withdrawing him simply because I didn't want Frankie to suffer any ill-effects to his health from being that dehydrated. He needed to shed another 3lbs and in the end that proved too much. “We gave him the best opportunity, with a nutritionist, a physiologist, a sports psychologist. I have to say again, Frank gave us 110 per cent, as he always has done, and he was bitterly disappointed. “I've worked with Frankie for the last eight years on the international scene and he showed great respect for my judgment. We've got a tremendous mutual respect and at the end I made the decision and he respected it. “Boxers of a certain age do not always hold their weight. You get more mature, you turn from a boy to a man, it goes with the territory. “Frankie is a young lad. He's 22. He's been boxing at the same weight for four years and sometimes lads have to move up a weight, it's as simple as that. “It's the hardest call I've ever made in my international boxing career and it's emotional for me too. But I've now got seven boxers going into the draw tomorrow (Friday 8 August) to compete in the Olympic Games. “I now have to put my emotion away to concentrate and give all my focus to the boxers who are still in the competition.”

Go back Comment on this article | Send to a friend | Print

Friend name: Friend email: Your name: Your email:   Privacy Statement

There are no comments. Click here to be the first who comment on this article.