Amateur role suits Rob

The Sun Gavin Glicksman9th November, 2009

ROB McCRACKEN has been chosen to lead Great Britian's boxers to glory at the 2012 Olympics.

McCracken, who currently trains WBC super-middleweight champ Carl Froch, succeeds Kevin Hickely as the British Amateur Boxing Association's performance director.

Hickey resigned in September after just eight months in the job.

And BABA executive chairman Derek Mapp is confident McCracken can help Team GB's amateur fighters deliver medals in London.

Mapp said: "Rob is here to take the elite programme to the next level.

"He brings a depth of expertise that knows and understands both amateur boxing and what it takes to produce a world champion."

As a result of McCracken's new role, Froch will train in Sheffield for his Super Six clash with Mikkel Kessler early next year.

And McCracken cannot wait to see how Britain's Olympic hopefuls respond to working alongside the Cobra.

He said: "It is a privileged position to be given the job of moulding the boxers towards the Olympics.

"There is some great talent already in the squad and more coming through.

"It is a good chance to work with the best young lads in Great Britain.

"The most fulfilling thing you can do is bring through a young fighter and help them develop to the best of their potential.

"Carl has been great about it and I think it will be an inspiration for some of the lads to have a world champion working alongside them."

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