TEAM Wales’ boxers are ready to get their competition under way today after learning who they will face in their opening bouts of the Commonwealth Games at the official draw.
Colin Jones, Welsh boxing head coach, said: “The draw is one of the most exciting parts of the competition and today was no different. With nine boxers in the competition it's great that we now know who we will face over the next nine days of boxing.
The boxers are in great shape and the boxers are looking forward to stepping into the ring for their first bout. Let's hope for a great crowd full of welsh supporters.”
St Joseph's star Andrew Selby is up first and will face Scotland’s Reece McFadden in the 52kg at 6.35pm today.
Barry boxer Selby, who trains at St Joes in Newport, said; “I’ve been waiting months to get here and now I’m really excited to get started. I’m the first Welsh boxer in action so it’s important to get the team off to a good start.”
A tough draw on Saturday will see Selby's St Joes stablemate Joe Cordina go up against England’s Pat Mccormack in the 60kg followed by Zack Davies who’s been drawn against Thabiso Dlamini from Swaziland in the 64kg category.
Nathan Thorley and Blackwood's Kody Davies will take to the ring on Sunday with Thorley set to face Benjamin Taualii from Tonga in his opening bout in the 81kg category. Davies is up against Stephen Lavelle of Scotland in the 91kg.
Newport's Sean McGoldrick will take his first step to retaining his title on Monday when he faces Jackson Woods of Australia.
McGoldrick, also of St Joes, said: “Once the draw is done it means we get down to business. It’s easy to get distracted looking at the different opponents, I take it one bout at a time so I will be concentrating all my energy on preparing to face Jackson Woods who is a good experienced Australian fighter.”
On a busy day of boxing for Wales on Monday, Ashley Williams and Charlene Jones will also take to the ring, Williams against Maquina of Mozambique in the 49kg and Charlene against Hansika of Sri Lanka.
The last of the first round bouts will take place on Tuesday when 75kg boxer Lauren Price from Bargoed will take on Theresa London from Guyana.
She said: “It’s great to finally know who I will face in my first bout. There will be no easy opponents in the Games but I’m in great shape and I know I’ve got the backing of the whole of Wales.”
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