Team GB's preparations for the inaugural European Championships in Baku are entering their final phase, with the tournament little over two weeks away.
Nine male and three female boxers will represent Team GB in Azerbaijan with a contingent boasting a mixture of experience.
Anthony Fowler is just 24 years of age, but is already one of the finest amateur middleweights in the world and won a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Fowler will once again be among the favourites for the top prize this summer and with Baku 2015 just around the corner, Sports Mole caught up with the Liverpool-born fighter, who was speaking from a kitting-out event in Birmingham.
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How is the Team GB gear? Are you looking the part?
"It is nice gear, so I am very happy with it. We are being looked after well."
With the competition fast approaching, how have your preparations been going?
"I fought last week in Lithuania, I had three fights, won all three and won the gold medal so that has left me full of confidence. I have been training hard week-in week-out. Hopefully come two weeks, I will be at my best and I will beat anyone in the world. I am looking forward to it.
"I have been working on keeping my composure under pressure. Not getting involved as much, using my jab and I want to try and stick to my boxing in Baku."
What about the World Series of Boxing, how did you find the experience overall?
"I think the cut hampered my progress a lot, I knew I could have qualified if I was at peak fitness, but I had five fights, I should have won four. I lost one fair and square, but with the right preparation I would have won. It was good overall, but I've put it behind me now and I am focused on these European Games."
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And the expectation ahead of Baku, is that something you welcome?
"The pressure comes with the territory. At the end of the day, as I long as I do my best then whatever happens I can hold my head up high knowing I have given it my all. That is all I can do."
The team certainly has a mixture of experience. How do you think the new members of the squad will fare?
"It is an inexperienced team overall. Big Joe Joyce, Sam Maxwell, Qais Ashfaq and myself are full of experience, but kids like Muhammad Ali are top prospects. Joshua Buatsi, Harvey Horn and Josh Kelly are inexperienced, but they are good fighters and hopefully they come of age in this tournament and make their mark on the squad at the top level."
You have previously mentioned that you went to Azerbaijan when you were 15. Are you expecting a better experience this time around?
"I think it will be a lot nicer than the last time I went! The Athletes' Village looks good and I think it will be warmer this time. Either way, I don't care, a ring is a ring to me and I don't care where we are in the world. I will always fight to the best of my ability and hopefully I can bring the gold back for Liverpool."
Finally, what happens between now and Baku?
"We are going over to Germany for a training camp on Sunday morning. Hopefully I can get some good spars in next week and I will be at peak fitness for Baku."
Matt Law
