Former super-middleweight boxer Richie Woodhall claims he turned down the role of head boxing coach at the British Amateur Boxing Association. Woodhall would have replaced Terry Edwards, whose contract will not be renewed by BABA despite his success at the Beijing Olympics. Woodhall told Setanta Sports News he wasn’t prepared to make the commitment. He said: “It didn’t interest me. I know what a commitment that job is. It’s a full time post, probably more than full time. You’ve got to be there 24/7..”
Woodhall tipped the ousted Edwards for a role at Frank Warren’s Sport Network, the new home of ‘the Olympians’. He added:
“You read comments from James DeGale, you read comments from Frankie Gavin and Tony Jefferies and they really rate Terry. They say he’s an excellent coach.
“It would surprise me if the lads didn’t want him as part of the set-up at Sport Network. Especially DeGale. I’m sure Terry could with work DeGale alongside Jim McDonnell.
“It’s a totally different ball game but he’s got to look at it as new challenge.”
McAllister hopes Murray will slip up in title bout
Lee McAllister insists he goes into his bout against British lightweight champion John Murray as “the underdog”. McAllister fights Murray for the title in Wigan this Saturday.
McAllister, branded a ‘cry baby’ by Murray, told Setanta Sports News he thought Murray was full of hot air. He said:
“He wasn’t shouting his mouth off at the press conference. I don’t know what he’s going on about, all these gestures and words.
“I’ve been made mandatory so I’ve no need to shout my mouth off. I’ve been keeping a low profile.
“Let’s hope he can prove himself in the ring on Saturday night.”
McAllister’s manager Dave Coldwell described the bout as “a potential banana skin” for Murray. He added:
“John’s blown hot and cold throughout his career, but we’re expecting him to be up for this fight.
“A lot of his opponents have been kids that have come in to have a go or journeymen trying not to get hurt.”