The 1988 Olympic bronze medallist is to be employed as a consultant by the British Amateur Boxing Association (BABA) in a role that allows him to continue coaching his stable of professional fighters.

 

The former WBC world super-middleweight champion had been touted as a replacement for Terry Edwards after he was sacked as head coach last month but said he was not interested in a full-time role.

 

Woodhall said: "I have been waiting for an opportunity to help talented up-and-coming boxers in the GB squad.

 

"I relish the prospect of getting involved as part of the GB team and I am delighted to do my bit to help us achieve great success."

 

Woodhall had been briefly employed by the Amateur Boxing Association of England in 2005 but left after falling out with Edwards.

 

Kevin Hickey, the sport's new performance director who had helped Woodhall to his Olympic medal in Seoul in 1988 when he was head coach, is pleased to have him back in the fold.

 

He said: "I have immense regard both in personal and in athlete terms for Richie.

 

"He represents the very best that is possible in British boxing and I am thrilled to have him on board.

 

"I know he will bring a new type of expertise to the fantastic talent we have here in the squad and help us to ensure that the development and success of our boxers is optimised for London 2012."