Team GB Olympic boxing captain Tom Stalker

HATFIELD’S Billy Joe Saunders, who himself fought in the squared circle at the Beijing Games, has tipped Team GB boxing captain Tom Stalker for Olympic glory at London 2012.

Commonwealth Middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders is tipping Tom Stalker for Team GB gold at the London 2012 Olympics

Stalker is set to fight to guarantee at least a bronze medal tonight (Wednesday) when he takes on Mongolian pugilist Munkh-Erdene Uranchimeg in the quarter-finals.

The light-weltereight bout is scheduled to start at 10pm at the ExCel Arena, London.

And Commonwealth Middleweight champion Saunders, who knows Stalker well from his amateur days, believes the Liverpool boxer has what it takes to go all the way and bring home the gold.

Speaking to the Welwyn Hatfield Times, Saunders said: “I knew from qualifying for 2008 when he was trying to qualify [for Beijing] and Stephen Smith got picked over him, he just wanted him so much.

“I remember seeing it, and I knew he was going to stay on and go to the [London] Olympic Games.

“He’s got so much determination and I’ve got him for gold.”

Speaking of his own decision to turn professional with Frank Warren after the Beijing Games, Saunders added: “I’ve no regrets, I’ve got a good lifestyle, it’s good money and I’m meeting new people and doing well, so I’m on the road to be doing bigger and better things.”

The Herts boxer is next scheduled for action when he defends his Commonwealth Middleweight title against Australian Jarrod Fletcher on September 14 at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London.

Chief support comes in the form of Penge Welterweight Bradley Skeete’s first pro title challenge, as he challenges Chas Symonds for his Southern Area Welterweight Championship.

While Enfield Super-Middleweight Frank Buglioni gets his sixth pro outing, as he looks to build on the impressive early form that has got many industry insiders earmarking him as one to watch.

Also in action are some of the London Area’s most exciting unbeaten prospects Mitchell Smith, formerly of Welwyn Garden City Boxing Club, Gary Corcoran, Billy Morgan and Ediz Hussain.

Tickets for the event will now be priced at £40 (unreserved) and £60 (reserved), and are available at the Frank Warren Promotions box office on 01992 505 550.