BOXING: The quest for medals is over, but the Australian team can reflect on one of its greatest ever performances in the Olympic boxing program.

After a shattering performance in Beijing that only saw one victory, the team, under head coach Don Abnett, came to London with high hopes.

And the team didn’t disappoint – with a grand total of five wins and junior welterweight Jeff Horn agonizingly close to getting through to the medal rounds.

It’s been well documented that the last medal for an Australian boxer was back in 1988, and the team was desperate to end that medal drought.

Olympic boxing glory is often the stepping stone to a successful career in the professional ranks – with the honour roll of Olympic champions enough to fill its own Hall of Fame. The crowds at the ExCel Arena were at capacity for every session, and the atmosphere at fever-pitch.

Despite the disappointment of no medals, Abnett was proud of the way the team performed.

“They gave it everything they had, and they did really well,” Abnett said.

“Jeff was terrific, and we had guys like Damien Hooper, Cameron Hammond and Ibrahim Balla who had wins as well.

“What is important now is that we build on this for Rio.”

The downside of boxing success is that athletes are tempted to hand in their amateur status and turn professional. While that is part and parcel of the sport, the success in London should encourage some to stay as part of the amateur program.

“When you look at someone like Jai Opetaia – he turned 17 just before the Games,” Abnett said. 

“He was fighting against men and was really unlucky to be beaten. In fact, I think he won his fight. If he keeps working hard, then he has an enormous future.”

Women’s boxing was on the program for the first time London, with Australia represented by Naomi Fisher-Rasmussen. Although beaten in her Round of 16 bout, she was far from disgraced, having to give more than five kilograms to her older, stronger, and wiser opponent.

“The improvement she made in such a short period of time is a credit to her and to Bodo Andreas. With more fights under her belt then, watch out in Rio,” Abnett said.

Damian Kelly in London

Olympics.com.au