Thomas Stalker Motivated By Gavin's Beijing Heartache

Thomas Stalker admits he is motivated by the memory of Frankie Gavin's Beijing heartache as he bids to establish himself as a light-welterweight contender at this week's European Championships.

Stalker, who won European silver and Commonwealth Games gold at lightweight last year, took the tough decision to move up to the 64kg weight category to give him the best chance of success at 2012.

Stalker missed out on a place in Beijing because Gavin was the world number one at lightweight. Gavin was forced out days before the Games began after failing to make the weight.

Stalker said: "The last thing I want to do is what Frankie did and qualify at lightweight then find out next year that it's too difficult and I can't perform at the weight.

"I was absolutely gutted to have to move up because I would have been seeded for the Europeans and the World Championships but it just got to the point where it was impossible.

"After the GB Championships last year I went on holiday and did six one hour runs but I still came back a stone overweight. I was scared to tell the team but they understood straight away."

Stalker faces a domestic battle with Beijing Olympian Bradley Saunders to claim the 64kg slot but he insists he has retained the confidence which made him one of the world's best at the lighter category.

"There's no one in the world I feel I can't beat. I fully intend to come home with a medal," said Stalker, who will fight Latvia's Dimitrijs Gutmans in his opening contest on Friday.

England have sent a full quota of 10 team members to the tournament in Ankara along with Ireland (nine after the withdrawal of Paddy Barnes), Wales (six) and Scotland (four).