The Games will be the first to  feature women’s boxing when there will be three weight categories at 51kg, 60kg and 75kg.

The squad has been selected following an extensive six-month assessment that looked-at nearly 100 boxers from England, Scotland and Wales.

Each of the seven women chosen will receive now funding and train at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield under British Boxing’s performance director, Rob McCracken, and his coaching team.

The squad seven will be rationalised to a team of just three in the build-up to 2012.
 
McCracken said: "We have conducted a long and extensive assessment process and I am confident we have identified the best individuals with the most medal potential.

"All seven women have done brilliantly to be selected from such a strong pool of talent but the challenge now is to improve and move on to the next level."

Liverpool-born Jonas initially started boxing to lose weight and get fit and as well as claiming four ABA Championships, she won gold in 2009 at the EU Championships in Bulgaria. 

She is ranked number four in the world at 64kg but will compete at 60kg lightweight division in the build-up to 2012.  

The 25-year-old said: "It is an amazing feeling to be selected for the elite women’s programme and makes all of the hard work and sacrifices worthwhile. 

"The possibility of making history and becoming one of the first women to compete in my sport in the Olympics games is a brilliant opportunity and I am going to do everything I can to make it a reality."

Amanda Coulson (pictured), a 27-year-old from Hartlepool, and Ruth Raper, a 19-year-old Londoner, will be challenging Jonas for the vacant spot in the division.

Coulson, who has been boxing for 11 years, has extensive experience, having collected medals at an array of international tournaments and having represented her country at the 2008 World Championships.

She has not looked back since being beaten by Jonas in the 2009 ABA Championship.

At the end of last year she beat former world two Klara Svensson.

Coulson said: "Training has gone very well but this was still great news when I found out.

"It's been an interesting journey ever since I first started boxing and I've enjoyed it all.

"But ever since women's boxing was included as an Olympic sport it was a huge motivation for me.

"There's a long way to go, but the goal is there.

"I've got to keep my head together, stay focused, work hard and box well."

Another of the seven women to make the squad is 31-year-old Lucy O'Connor, a Royal Navy officer based in Portsmouth, who is challenging Nicola Adams and Nina Smith in the 51kg lightweight division.

O'Connor began boxing four years ago and like Jonas is a four-time ABA Champion at 57kg.

She also won gold at the EU Championships in 2008 and is ranked fifth in the world. 

O'Connor will be challenging Jonas for a place in the 51kg category.

She said: "It is a dream come true to be selected for the squad but it is now when the hard work really starts.

"This will be the only chance I ever get to compete at the Olympic Games so I am going to train hard, learn from the coaches and do everything I can to be part of the team for 2012."

Savannah Marshall (pictured), another Hartlepool boxer, have also been selected as the sole representative in the 75kg middleweight category.

After winning the European Youth title in December 2008, she moved into senior boxing with devastating results, winning the 2009 ABA title inside a minute before being crowned EU champion in only her fifth adult contest.

The teen sensation then beat American Brittany Inkrote twice in internationals against the United States in London in November, winning 16-3 and 19-4.

Marshall, 18, said: "It's great to be in the Olympic squad.

"When I won down in London I said that I wanted to be doing the same thing the top lads did.

"They had lottery funding and trained down in Sheffield.

"I'm going to get that now and I aim to take my chance.

"I really want this and I'm hoping to keep getting better."

The squad will have fortnightly training camps at the EIS in Sheffield with the GB Boxing coaches and performance team which includes a nutritionist, a psychologist, a physiotherapist and video analyst.  

Each will have an individualised development programme and then they are not at the EIS, they will train with their club coaches.

The squad will compete in a series of International Competitions throughout 2010, including the EU Championships in Hungary between August 3-8 and the AIBA Women’s World Championships in Barbados, between September 7 and 19.

McCracken also warned that if any of the seven boxers do not live up to expectations or new talent emerges then there could be changes.

He said: "All of the squad need to work hard and keep improving to maintain their place.

"Those who missed out on selection can still come into consideration for 2012 if they train hard and do well in competitions over the next 12 months."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected] 


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