A decade of commitment to boxing is beginning to pay off for Dan Woledge.

But the 20-year-old, who is part of the Great Britain squad training for the Olympics, is willing to bide his time as he chases glory.

Woledge, from Bean, is one step from the elite group who will be battling it out for a place at the Rio Olympics.

He said: “I want to go to the Olympics but before I go I want to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible.

“I have been in the Olympic squad for a year-and-a-half and the next Olympics are in a couple of years. I am in no rush.

“I have never fought yet at a major competition, like the Europeans, Worlds or Commonwealths and I don’t know how that would affect me. I want to experience something like that first.

 

"I want to be the best that I can be. I want to be 100% physically, mentally and emotionally.”

It may mean Woledge may have to wait until 2020 in Tokyo. The 75kg middleweight knows it would be worth it and he has no interest in turning pro soon.

He said: “A lot of people turn pro prematurely and some do it without enough experience.

“I wish anyone that turns pro the very best, everyone is different but for me, I wouldn’t do it unless I was on good money. 

“If I went pro I would want to box, box, box. I eat, breath and sleep boxing. If I was a success at the Olympics, then they would be chucking cars and money at me.

“Hopefully, one day, I can walk back into the club having achieved something special and I can show them how much I appreciate their help. It’s them who have helped get me here.”