GB Boxing’s Charley Davison will box for the first time since Tokyo 2020 when she competes alongside six teammates at the upcoming Strandja tournament in Bulgaria from 20-27 February.
The mother of three recently returned to training after a period of time-off having reached the Olympic quarterfinals at Tokyo 2020 where she was denied a medal by a split decision.
It was a remarkable return to the sport after a seven-year absence. The 28-year-old has now set her sights on becoming a two-time Olympian and winning a medal at Paris 2024.
Davison said: “It feels surreal to be back in the gym. I came back four weeks ago and I’ve been working hard to go to this tournament.
“I’m excited to get back to it. In the time I had off I didn’t punch I was just focusing on cardio so to be back here, training and sparring, I’m so ready to get in there and show everyone my ability again.
In the men’s competition, middleweight, Lewis Richardson, will box for the first time this year when action gets underway in Sofia.
The 24-year-old claimed gold in his most recent outing at Serbia’s Golden Glove in December, his second gold of the year after February’s Bocskai success.
Richardson said: “I’m looking forward to getting back into action. It’s a big year ahead and what a way to start it.
“Strandja is a very well-established tournament so I’m expecting some good competition out there. Last year was full of ups and downs. I started and ended well and had a bit of a blip in between.
“There was no shame in losing to the eventual Olympic silver medallist at the Tokyo qualifier, but I did set out to beat him, so I was unfortunate there. It was a disappointing World Championships as well but I’ve been able to put that behind me and look ahead to an exciting year.”
Flyweight Kiaran MacDonald, featherweight Niall Farrell, light-middleweight Harris Akbar and light-heavyweight George Crotty will all step through the ropes for the first time since the 2021 World Championships in Belgrade in September last year.
Farrell said: “It’s been good preparation as always and we’ve got a strong team going out there. We’re all looking forward to it and the morale is high.
“Last year wasn’t the best year for me but you can’t dwell on the past and I can only look forward and hope to make my mark on this year with the Commonwealth Games in my hometown coming up as well as other majors.”
Completing the squad is welterweight Harvey Lambert who recently boxed at the Tammer tournament where he returned with a bronze medal.
All seven boxers will represent England at Strandja. The full team is:
| Boxer | Weight Class | Country |
| Kiaran MacDonald | 51kg – Flyweight | England |
| Niall Farrell | 60kg – Lightweight | England |
| Harvey Lambert | 67kg – Welterweight | England |
| Harris Akbar | 71kg – Light-middleweight | England |
| Lewis Richardson | 75kg – Middleweight | England |
| George Crotty | 80kg – Light-heavyweight | England |
| Charley Davison | 52kg – Flyweight | England |
The results of all the bouts involving boxers from Great Britain will be posted on GB Boxing’s social media channels and at www.gbboxing.org.uk.
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