Olympian visits Wodensborough ABC

Olympian Bradley Saunders has given fighters from Wodensborough Amateur Boxing Club a spring in their step after popping into their gym.

Saunders competed for Team GB at the Beijing Games in 2008 and was a European champion as an amateur, before finally turning pro in February.

The 26-year-old from County Durham is next in action in Manchester on November 30 and has been sparring in the area to get him ready for fight night.

But the light welterweight took time out from training to pay Wodensborough ABC a visit at their temporary home on Redwood Road in the Yew Tree Estate.

Their members are preparing for their next club show, with eight in the home corner at the Charlemont Bowling Club in West Bromwich on November 1.

They were put through their paces by Saunders and club coaches Steve O'Rourke, Mark Farrow and Tony Wilson, while the Olympian also gave a talk.

O'Rourke said: "Bradley is a pal of mine and got in touch with me as he was down here preparing for his upcoming fight.

"He did a session with us and took a look at the kids through a bit of coaching, with some pad work and so on.

"He's an Olympian and winner of 16 national titles throughout his amateur career, the kids loved having him there.

"It was nice to have somebody of his calibre around the gym and that he took time from his schedule out to come here.

"He had a talk with the kids about technique and the importance of training hard, they really took it on board.

"Bradley will be popping back in a couple of weeks to see how our show went and how they boxed.

"He thinks, potentially, we have got some good kids, he liked their dedication and determination."