Unfavourable draw for GB boxers

None of Britain's seven remaining boxers will be entirely happy with Friday's proceedings with light-welterweight Bradley Saunders arguably handed the most favourable path towards the medal zone.

But it could hardly have been any worse for super-heavyweight David Price, who must start against Russia's European champion and world number one Islam Timurziev.

James Degale will begin the British campaign on Saturday afternoon against Egypt's Mohamed Hikal, in the knowledge he will probably have to overcome Russian world champion Matvei Korobov in order to medal.

British head coach Terry Edwards said: "It's an unseeded draw and it has not been kind to us. All the team have proved they can beat the best in the world and they will have to do it again.

"The draw looks okay for Bradley and Tony Jeffries but otherwise it is very tough. David Price is on good form at the moment but I certainly wouldn't have chosen for him to meet the Russian in his first fight."

Hikal is a former African champion and two-time Olympian but ought not to unduly detain Degale, who is hot favourite to get his team off to a winning start before the real tests commence.

Saunders opens against Ghana's Samuel Kotey and ought to at least secure a quarter-final match against Bulgarian European champion Boris Georgiev with a medal at stake.

Meanwhile, Jeffries starts with a bye and if he gets past Colombia's Pan-American champion Eleider Alvarez in the second round, he would likely face classy Hungarian Imre Szello for at least a bronze.

Flyweight Khalid Yafai also has a bye followed by a second-round meeting with top Cuban Andry Laffita, while welterweight Billy Joe Saunders starts against Turkey's world number three Adem Kilicci - with another Cuban awaiting in round two.