Richie backs boxing team coach

Shropshire's boxing hero Richie Woodhall has backed Team GB's under-pressure boxing coach after a golden end to the Beijing Games.Terry Edwards is wanted out by senior officials within the Amateur Boxing Association - despite the squad winning three medals in China, headed by James Degale's gold on Saturday.

But former Olympic medalist and professional world champion Woodhall believes to get rid of the team's head coach would be a mistake.

Woodhall said: "They have been the best Games since 1956 and you can't argue with that.

"The team started with the major blow of the Frankie Gavin situation but they brushed themselves off and got on with it.

"If there are people who question Terry in terms of the Gavin situation then you have got to give him credit for his response.

"He got on with the job and shaped a successful team who should be proud of themselves."

Meanwhile UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins today said he would "bet his job" on Britain winning more than four medals in London 2012.

Britain's athletes won four medals in Beijing - one gold, two silver and one bronze - the same number as in Athens four years ago but one below the pre-Games target.

That performance has been put in the shade by sports such as cycling, rowing and sailing and led to speculation over Collins' future, but the 54-year-old said today: "I certainly haven't heard anything from my CEO or chairman while I've been here.

"I'm just continuing to do the same job that I've been doing, which is to try and take things forward to make sure we have all we need to make this a strong sport through 2012 and beyond."