Richie Woodhall in new role

Shropshire's former world champion and Olympic medalist Richie Woodhall has joined the new Great Britain amateur boxing set-up.

Woodhall, who claimed the WBC super-middleweight title during a glittering career and a bronze medal at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, will act as a consultant for the British Amateur Boxing Association.

He will continue training professional fighters at his gym in Birmingham and with his various media commitments.

"I have been waiting for an opportunity to help talented up-and-coming boxers in the GB squad," said Woodhall.

"I relish the prospect of getting involved as part of the GB team and I am delighted to do my bit to help us achieve great success."

Telford-based Woodhall plans to appeal to some of the nation's biggest boxing stars to help boost Britain's Olympic medal hopes, starting with 2012.

And he already has the likes of Joe Calzaghe, David Haye and Carl Froch on his hit-list to provide mentoring and training tips to the new generation of fighters vying for a place in the London Games.

Woodhall added: "We need to end the era of amateur and professional boxing being two separate things and urge the likes of Joe, David and Carl to come on board and help some of our great young fighters.

"I will be speaking to all those guys soon because I think their involvement will be fantastic for all concerned. It's about influencing and educating these kids and giving them a great chance of getting a medal."

Woodhall, who had previously rejected reports he was set to return as full-time coach to replace Terry Edwards, will link up with new performance director Kevin Hickey, who formerly coached him as an amateur.

And he insists he is not interested in getting involved in the politics which have marred his sport's most successful Olympics in over half a century, with seven of the eight-strong Beijing team having already turned pro.

Woodhall added: "We've got to look to the future and building that bridge between amateurs and pros will be a great way to start."

By MARK STANIFORTH