Darren O’Neill has just one route left to make the Olympic Games in Rio later this year.
The London 2012 boxing team captain suffered a controversial defeat at the recent European qualifiers in Turkey, cutting his options.
He will travel to Astana in Kazakhstan later this month knowing that he has to take the gold medal at the world qualifiers to book his flight to Brazil.
“Unfortunately in my weight I need gold because there’s only one slot left so I’ll be looking at five wins on the trot,” explained the Kilkenny man.
“I know I have the capabilities and the boxing abilities and I’m hoping my conditioning can keep me going for five fights.
“I have consistently shown over the last year that I can compete with the best heavyweights in the world. I know going over there that none of them will want to box me and I know that I have the ability and experience to beat any of them.
“I’m trying to qualify; the Olympics are the pinnacle of any athlete’s career and going to the Olympic Games is all I’ve ever dreamed of since I was a little kid. I’d love to go to Rio."
