By Phil D. Jay
Lowestoft middleweight Anthony Ogogo is in no rush to make a decision on whether to turn professional following his recent bronze medal achievements at the London Olympics.
The 23 year-old, who was beaten in the semi-final by eventual runner-up Esquiva Falcão Florentino of Brazil, has revealed his pride at competing at a home Olympics and being a part of Team GB at what turned out to be an historic games.
Home athletes captured 65 medals during the 16 days of events and Ogogo played a big part in entertaining the masses that turned out at the ExCeL Arena day in and day out. The Suffolk fighter is now an instantly recognisable face in British amateur boxing and took in every moment as the world focused on the British capital.
“I loved it. On arrival we were treated to the most amazing street performance from a London theatre school then I was chosen to talk to the BBC live on the 6 o'clock news and that just gave me a massive buzz,” Ogogo told World Boxing News.
“I watched the opening ceremony in the village as I was competing the following day and I was just so inspired.
"From leaving the village yesterday morning I've had a great time and I've been so proud to be wearing the Team GB colours each day.”
Ogogo was handed a tricky route to a potential gold medal in the run-up to the competition and wasn’t surprised to see that a round of 32 victory over Junior Castillo Martinez would lead him into a battle against world number one Evhen Khytrov.
“I thought here we go again. A tough draw but that's all I ever get. I never seem to get the rub of the green when it comes to the draw,” he stressed.
“Every medal I've ever had I've had to fight tooth and nail for. There's no point wishing for another outcome as it'll never happen or feeling sorry for yourself as people had easier draws, this is the Olympics so it was bound to be tough.
“I could have had a more favourable draw but I thought I'm going to do this, my mentality was that everyone I'm boxing is going to get beat.
After fighting his heart out for the three rounds, Ogogo impressed all by coming through on a countback following scores of 18 a piece and would advance to a quarter final with German Stefan Hartel.
“It’s the best win of my career,” said Ogogo. “It just beats my win over the Russian at the world championships in Baku last year. They were both gruelling fights, but doing it in front of that crowd is what dreams are made of.
“Everyone in attendance knew how good he was and they supported me, chanting ‘O G O G O, O G O G O’ until the final bell. You saw the passion and what it meant to me in my prolonged celebration.”
A 15-10 win over Hartel followed and after a gallant effort against Falcao on the penultimate day of competition, a score of 16-9 saw Ogogo walk away with a commendable bronze medal.
The young fighter was definitely one of the more charismatic competitors of the games and many think he has the potential to be a future star, not only in the UK, but worldwide with a professional run, although Ogogo is content to sit tight and consider his future before making any decision.
“I want to spend some time with my family. They've all been so good to me and so supportive in the last few months that have been the most difficult in my life for various reasons. They've cheered me on at every fight and taken other pressures off me. I want to be a good son to my Mum, a good brother to my sisters and a good boyfriend to my girlfriend as they have been with me throughout.
On a considering any pro offers, Ogogo stated: “I love the amateur game. I love the environment. I love how pure the sport is. Each country's best fighter going head to head to see who the very best is and I love representing my country.
“That being said how can you top a home Olympics? We have a great Performance Director in Rob McCracken that knows the fight game, amateur and professional inside and out. The whole program wants the best for each and every one of us, so I'm sure Rob and the team will give me the best advice.”
Pro promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Maloney were visitors to the ExCeL as the competition ran its course, but Ogogo assured WBN that they were just there as spectators and left the fighters to concentrate of the task at hand.
“I'm sure they all saw how determined I was and focused on winning so nobody made any approaches to me.”
Overall, the future looks bright for Ogogo and a number of his team-mates in the squad, with Luke Campbell, Nicola Adams and Anthony Joshua walking away with gold medals and Welshman Fred Evans claiming a silver.
Although Ogogo may look back with thoughts of what might have been, the former Big Brother star has the option to remain amateur and go for gold in four years’ time as the games head to Rio.
“I am still disappointed. I have trained my whole life to become the Olympic champion. I have been faced with adversity over and over again and I always seem to find a way to overcome it. My whole qualification campaign was a tough experience to endure, with injuries and family upset interrupting my training on numerous occasions.
“It’s more disappointing especially after coming through the toughest section of the draw and beating the Ukrainian and the German, both of whom have beaten Falcao the Brazilian, but it wasn't to be. Due to his bye and easier route he was sharper than me, and that was telling on the night.
"However, I think everyone that watched me compete knew that I gave it my all throughout all my fights and although it's not the colour I wanted, the medal means more to me than a bronze.
“It means a small triumph after everything that I've faced and had to overcome.”
Phil D. Jay covers boxing for worldboxingnews.net
