The last time the North East of England didn’t have a representative in boxing at the Olympics was Athens in 2004. And although the GB squad didn’t have any local boxers this time around, the region is still proudly represented by Adam Olaore.
Born in Nigeria but raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, Adam very much embodies all the hallmarks of a champion as soon as you set eyes on him. The tall heavyweight exudes confidence, instilling a belief in everyone who talks to him that he is destined for big things in the future.
“It was a big shock at first, first moving to London and then settling in Newcastle, but I felt at home here pretty quickly. There’s a good community here, my family and friends are here as well as my extended family. Sometimes I’ll bump into them while I’m out and they’ll say how I’m making them proud. It’s really nice.”
At only 21 years of age, Adam has won both the Nigerian championships and the African championships before qualifying for the Olympics in Dakar. It’s hard to imagine such a talent not being realised had his friend not first taken him to the gym when he was 14.
“I was always very athletic, and I was good at most sports growing up like football, basketball, running, it just so happened that my friend took me to the local boxing gym and there were kids there that were better than me. I didn’t like that. So I stuck with it.”
Adam has had a very successful partnership with his coach Rich Stoneham, and the two have made an formidable team merging both incredible talent with immaculate preparation, which has helped both to achieve their dreams and make it to the biggest stage in sport.
“I remember hearing about Adam before I’d met him. I heard he had a few non licensed fights and that he did well. Of course, there is a big difference between that and the elite amateur level which he was looking to go into.”
Before going on to say:
“When he walked in, he was tall and strong, he had all the things that you can teach. Not just physically but mentally too. One thing that really stood out to me is that he had this hunger to learn, he was constantly asking questions and wanting to know more and more. Sometimes I had to tell him to be patient and focus on what we are currently doing, but he has a drive to be the best! In the ring, in the changing room, walking up the stairs, playing ping pong, you name it, he wants to be number one.”
Adams Olympic dream came to an end without a medal in Paris but the future is bright for the young boxer who is a ticket sellers dream.
“The future is going to be big, that’s why my teams name is Big Future, it’s not just a name, it’s an ideal. What that is yet may be too early to tell. But it’s going to be big, and I can’t wait to show everyone just what I have in store.”
Could there be a big night headlining St James’ Park in the not-so-distant future? As a lover of both boxing and the North East, I certainly hope so, but until then, keep an eye on Adam Olaore. He just might be the flagbearer for the future of boxing in Tyneside.
