BIRTLEY duo Pat and Luke McCormack have been named in the British Lionhearts squad for this year’s World Series of Boxing.

The Lionhearts squad is comprised of 25 boxers from GB Boxing’s Podium and Potential squads, with ten overseas fighters completing the roster.

The GB Boxing contingent features both of the McCormack brothers, with Pat looking to reproduce the form that saw him named ‘Boxer of the Regular Season’ as the Britsh Lionhearts made the final of last year’s World Series.

Pat, who fights at welterweight, made his Olympic debut in Rio last summer, and has opted to remain in the amateur ranks ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Lightweight Luke will hope to join him in Tokyo, and this year’s World Series should provide him with an ideal opportunity to showcase his skills on the international stage.

“WSB is a very tough competition, and the squad is a little different to the one that did so well last year, so for a lot of the boxers this is going to be a new experience and a real test of how well they are developing,” said GB Boxing performance director Rob McCracken.

“The WSB shows are always excellent events, and the quality of the boxing is very good, so I am sure the boxers will enjoy being part of the Lionhearts team and competing in front of their home crowd at the York Hall in London.”

The Lionhearts will compete in the Europe and Middle East group, and face home and away matches against Morocco Atlas Lions, Italia Thunder and the France Fighting Roosters.


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THE route for June’s Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds has been revealed, with North Yorkshire duo Alastair and Jonny Brownlee set to be the star attractions on their home course.

More than 5,000 amateur triathletes will compete on Saturday June 10, with the world’s leading elite competitors due to take centre stage for an ITU World Triathlon Series event on Sunday, June 11.

The elite triathletes, who will include reigning champion and Olympic gold medal winner Alastair Brownlee, will start with a 1,500m swim in Roundhay Park before transitioning to their bikes for a 40km ride that will take them through Roundhay, Moortown, Meanwood, Headingley and Burley before finishing with seven laps of a city-centre loop.

They will then head to Millennium Square before covering a 10km running route that will feature four shorter laps of the city-centre loop.

“The multi-lap bike course goes into the heart of the city centre, making it really technical and spectator friendly, with plenty of opportunities to watch the racing,” said Olympic silver medallist Jonny Brownlee. “With an iconic finish in Millennium Square, it’s going to be brilliant.”