Price is right as Hope keeps Youth Olympics promise

Leeds boxing brothers Ellis and Hope Price of Hunslet Club

In securing gold at this week’s EUBC Youth European Boxing Championships, the Hunslet Club star kept his word by booking a ticket to the Youth Olympic Games at the first attempt.

Price won gold at the 2016 European Junior Championships and then took silver against older opponents in last October’s European Youth Championships in Hungary. The Leeds star then immediately set his targets on going one better at this year’s competition in Italy.

The Hunslet fighter faced Ireland’s Dean Clancy in the 52kg final and recorded a comfortable 5-0 victory to become European Youth champion and also book a spot at this October’s Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.

Price also has the 2018 World Youth Championships on this year’s agenda in which reaching the quarter final also books a ticket to the Youth Olympics.

But the teen had set his sights on qualifying for the event at the first attempt by winning this month’s Youth Europeans and his latest success has left his coach at Hunslet Club, Dennis Robbins, particularly proud.

His latest triumph marked the teenager’s third medal at European level after last year’s silver in addition to his gold in the European Junior Championships of 2016.

“Hope is an inspiration to all members at the Hunslet Club,” beamed Robbins. “His dedication to his sport is second to none. As well as being an exceptionally gifted young man he is also a polite and caring person. His determination and ability will hopefully see him achieve even greater things in boxing.”

Hunslet Club trustee Andrew Beadnall said: “This is obviously a major achievement for this young 18-year-old and representing England at the Youth World Games and Youth Olympics seems to be a cert’.”

Price’s younger brother Ellis is also making giant strides with the 14-year-old having recently won the Junior Cadet title. The teen is on the England Boxing talent pathway and has represented England in two Tri-Nation events, winning gold at both of them.

In 2017 he represented England at the European Schools Championships where he won bronze.