Wednesday 23 July 2014 15:40, UK
Mark Bateson is hoping to visit a number of boxing gyms all over world with the help of the new Sky Academy Sports Scholarships Coach Development Programme.
BBateson, one of three coaches on the programme, believes that getting a chance to see other boxers and trainers in action and the different techniques they use could be beneficial both to himself as a coach and to his son, and Sky Academy Sports Scholar, Jack.
I’d like to go further afield as well to places like Cuba because I think the Cubans are the best boxers in the world, the style and everything
He will also be speaking with sports science consultant Tony Lycholat to discuss other ideas of where improvements can be made to help Jack to fulfil his potential.
“Hopefully after the Commonwealth Games, he’s got the EU’s in a couple of weeks, but after that we might have a bit of time on our hands to go to a few different gyms. I’m thinking about going abroad with him to pick up tips,” said Bateson.
“I’m also meeting Tony Lycholat next week and he’s mentioned about seeing Mark Ellis the GB nutritionist and getting a few tips off him.”
One possible port of call for the father and son team could be Spain, although Bateson is also keen to go further afield.
“We’re thinking about going to Macklin’s gym in Marbella, Spain because there are quite a lot of pros and amateurs going there now and mix in with them,” Bateson added.
“I’d like to go further afield as well to places like Cuba because I think the Cubans are the best boxers in the world, the style and everything. I’d love to go out there for a week and pick some tips up, go to a few gyms and get him some different sparring.”
Such experiences should only add to Jack’s growing confidence after an impressive showing at the China Open recently ended with a controversial defeat to the home favourite.
“He was happy, all the GB coaches thought he’d won the fight, he was happy with his performance, he thought he’d won it, he thought he’d done enough but you know what it’s like when you’re in someone’s back yard – the number one seed, their top lad and you need to beat them convincingly to get the win sometimes,” explained Bateson.
“But that’s amateur boxing for you, we see it at all different levels and we see it at the top level in world title fights. It’s going to happen and you have to take it on the chin but as long as you’re happy with your performance, it’s just about moving on.”
The European Union Championships are the next target for Jack, and his father is adamant that he is going there for the gold medal and nothing less.
“He’s hoping to go out and win them, he’s confident enough,” he said. “He’s fit, he’s raring to go. I’m going over there to watch him and give him a bit of support.
“He’s not going there to make the numbers up, that’s for sure. He’s going for gold and he’s confident, like he was in the China Open, but sometimes you just can’t be held responsible for what the judges do.”
