WALES coach Colin Jones says every one of his 11 boxers can win a medal at next month’s Commonwealth Games.
Welsh boxers claimed three medals last time out in Delhi, with Newport’s Sean McGoldrick leading the way with gold.
Team Wales are targeting 27 podium finishes in Glasgow and only two in boxing but Jones believes his talented squad can make a much bigger contribution.
“I think we can win 11 medals,” said Jones. “We wouldn’t be taking them if we didn’t think they could win a medal.”
While Jermaine Asare and Keiran Harding – bronze medal winners in 2010 – have since turned professional, St Joseph’s star McGoldrick is going for gold again in Scotland.
He is joined by Wales two big medal prospects – Fred Evans and Andrew Selby – who both competed in Delhi and at London 2012.
Evans was training at St Joes with McGoldrick when he won silver at the Olympics two years ago and he and Selby are both former European champions.
Jones is looking for Evans in particular to make up for a disappointing showing four years ago.
“I worked with Fred in Delhi and he was a little bit of a letdown there in my eyes but he’s matured a lot as a boxer and as a man since then,” said the Wales coach.
“There’s still a lot of work to do but at he’s an expert pupil now.
“When he joined up with us he was a bit over the weight but he’s worked exceptionally hard.
“He’s only two kilos above his fighting weight now so he’s on target but he’s got to stay focused and put in the hard graft to ensure he’s in tip-top condition.”
Evans, who parted company with St Joes trainer Tony Borg last year, has had a difficult time since 2012 with a loss of form and confidence in the ring and a conviction for assault in a Birmingham lap dancing club.
But now he’s fit and fully focused on going for gold in Glasgow.
“I just want to put the past behind me now and concentrate on winning gold,” said the 23-year-old.
“I’ve definitely improved since London. This is the fittest I’ve been since then and I feel I’m in great form.
“I’d be disappointed with myself if I didn’t win the gold. The Commonwealth Games is the medal I’m missing so I want to put that right.”
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