Boxers are confident of medal spree

The British boxing team for the Olympics due to be confirmed today are in "super-confident" form, according to their captain.

David Price, one of the eight heading for Beijing, claimed they have been boosted by their recent medal haul at the European Union Championships in Poland.

"Four golds and three silvers is a great preparation for Beijing," said the 24-year-old Liverpudlian, a 2006 Commonwealth champion. "We put in a lot of good preparation and really bonded as a unit which helped us put in a great team performance.

"Now we're all super-confident and know we can compete with the top nations. In the last Olympics it would have been intimidating to get into the ring with a Cuban, but that won't be the case this time."

The British team will be managed by Terry Edwards, who helped guide Audley Harrison to Olympic gold in Sydney and Amir Khan to silver in Athens four years ago.

The brightest medal hope for Beijing is 24-year-old Frankie Gavin, the world amateur lightweight champion. Gavin, who will turn professional after the Olympics, boxed at light-welterweight in Cetniewo and earned the 'Best Boxer of the Tournament' award.

Billy Joe Saunders won the welterweight title, Price won at super-heavyweight and Thomas Stalker, who is not going to the Olympics, triumphed at lightweight.

Others expected to be named today are Khalid Yafai, James DeGale, Joe Murray, Bradley Saunders and Tony Jeffries.