By Elliot Foster

Jack Bateson has confirmed that he will no longer be part of Team GB.

The 22-year-old European bronze medallist, who picked up the gong at the 2013 Championships in Minsk, Belarus, took to Twitter to confirm the news.

Bateson missed out on the 2016 Olympics in Rio and said that he had decided to leave the programme after more than five years.

“I want to say a massive thank you to everyone at GB Boxing for some of the best years of my life,” he wrote in a statement.

“It was a dream of mine when I first started boxing to represent GB, from a young age I used to dream about wearing the Team GB tracksuit and that’s what motivated me.

“I will always be proud of making it on to the podium squad and travelling the world boxing for my country.”

Bateson has yet to disclose his next move, but Boxing Scene understands that he will make the move over to the professional ranks.

“It’s time for a new chapter in my career and I’m very excited for what is next,” he continued.

“I’m very lucky to have a great team of people around me with family, friends and loyal supporters.”

Meanwhile, GB Boxing has also confirmed the departure of Chantelle Cameron, Savannah Marshall and Kody Davies from the World Class Performance Programme.

The aforementioned quartet will not be part of the GB Boxing squad for the 2017-21 Tokyo cycle, which begins on 1 April 2017, and are, according to a statement, ‘free to pursue other career opportunities.’

“All four of the boxers leave with our best regards,” GB Boxing Performance Director Rob McCracken said, “and I wish them every success in whatever they go on to do next.

“At the end of an Olympic cycle, it is common for boxers to take some time to decide on whether they want to commit to another four years and, for now, Savannah, Chantelle, Jack and Kody have decided that their futures lie away from GB Boxing.”

Further details regarding the futures of the aforementioned four fighters will be revealed in due course.