Bulmer gets GB call-up

KATIE Bulmer has promised to make a statement of intent after being called up for a Great Britain training camp.

The 19-year-old St Paul's boxing club member has been selected to attend the first GB assessment camp weekend as preparations begin for the 2012 Olympic Games.

With women's boxing now on the agenda for the London Olympics, the British Amateur Boxing Association have organised a first training camp for the best women boxers in the country.

Bulmer, who has attended England camps in the past, will now head to Sheffield next month with the intention of making an early impression in the race for 2012.

"I'm absolutely over the moon to have been called up for this camp," Bulmer told the Mail.

"I was hoping to hear something from the England team, but I wasn't expecting to be called up to the Great Britain camp.

"This will give me an extra push and I'll go there determined to show what I can do.

"I want to learn as much as I can and I'll use the camp as a chance to do that, but I'm not going in blindfolded and I want to impress."

The purpose of the GB camps is to give boxers from the home nations the opportunity to be considered to become the first-ever female boxers at the Olympics.

The squads will regularly meet and be assessed in what is effectively a competition to see who will progress to the Games.

Bulmer, who lives off Holderness Road, east Hull, has already established herself as one of the main contenders for 2012.

The teenager is however currently down the pecking order in her weight category of 56-60kg.

With only three weight divisions for female boxers in the Olympics, the competition is fierce.

Bulmer recently came out on the wrong end of two contests against fellow internationals Carly Wealens and Rebecca Donnely, two of her main contenders for representation at the Olympics.

But with three years to prepare, the east Hull boxer remains confident her Olympic dream can indeed become reality.

She added: "I know I have a bit to do, but I have the time to do it and there are still three years to the Olympics.

"I have three years to climb up the pecking order and I am confident of doing that."

Bulmer's confidence is shared by her St Paul's coach Mike Bromby, who is predicting a bright future for his young star.

"I have really tested Katie this year and we have matched her against some tough opponents and double national champions.

"She has had to make the step up and while she has lost some close contests, she is always learning.

"She isn't near where she needs to be for the Olympics, but in three years she will be. She has the drive, enthusiasm and desire to succeed."