BOXING: Victorian heavyweight Jason Whateley will kick off Australia’s Olympic boxing campaign when he makes his debut on Day One of the competition (Saturday 6 August).

Whateley will be the first of three Australians chasing the country’s first Olympic boxing medal in 28 years.

In the draw released today Whateley, 25, will face Brazilian Juan Nogueira, 28, in the first session at 1pm local time (Sunday 2am AEST) of the heavyweight (91kg) division of 18 competitors.

If successful his next bout will be against No. 1 seed, Russian Evgeny Tishchenko on Monday.

Australia’s middleweight (75kg) boxer Daniel Lewis, 22, has to wait until next Tuesday 9 August (Wednesday 7am AEST) to make his Olympic debut, drawing Poland’s Tomasz Jablonski in a field of 28.

If successful he faces Uzbekistan’s No. 2 seed Bektemir Melikuziev on 12 August.

To make the gold medal round, both Whateley and Lewis have to win through four rounds.

In the women’s lightweight division (57-60kg), Australia’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist Shelley Watts, 29 next week, has drawn the youngest boxer in the field of 12, Italian Irma Testa, 18, on Friday 12 August (12.30am Saturday AEST).

Her next fight would be against the French No. 2 seed Estelle Mossely.

The trio of boxers and coaching staff were happy with the draw after intensive preparation has left them all keen to get in the ring.

“With 18 starters in the heavyweight field there is no real good or bad side of the draw,” Whateley said.

“You have to beat them all to win the medal. I just want to get in there and get into it .I am really pleased to be going first.

“I’ve had a longer preparation than usual, but I feel great. I haven’t over-trained.”

Lewis shared Whateley’s sentiments.

“I just want to get out there; I’m ready,” Lewis said.

Watts, like her team-mates, wasn’t fazed by the draw

“I’m not worried either way; the draw is out of my control.

“You have to beat them all to win the gold.”

Tracie Edmondson
olympics.com.au