Richie Woodhall auctions: Knockout chance to buy Team GB Olympic gloves
The Olympics are now over for another four years – but you can grab a piece of Britain's historic triumph in Rio with a pair of gloves signed by Team GB's boxing team which took three medals.
A pair of gloves signed by all 12 members of the British Olympic boxing team is the latest item to go under the hammer in a series of charity auctions being held by Shropshire's former world champion Richie Woodhall, who helped coach the team.
Among the signatories are Nicola Adams, who won her second Olympic gold in the women's flyweight division, and Joe Joyce who won Team GB's last medal in Rio when he took silver in the super heavyweight class. Joyce was denied gold on a split decision to award the final to Tony Yoka of France.
Joshua Buatsi, who took bronze in the light heavyweight division, has also signed them.
The gloves will go under the hammer at Halls auction house in Shrewsbury on Wednesday, with all proceeds going to The Harry Johnson Trust which supports children being treated for cancer at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital.
People unable to get to the auction can bid online, or have a maximum bid placed in their absence.
It is the latest in a series of auctions to raise money for cancer charities which former super-middleweight world champion Richie has been holding as a tribute to his father Len, who died from the condition last year at the age of 75.
Richie, who is consultant coach to the British boxing team, said he was delighted to have got all 12 members – 10 men and two women – to sign the gloves.
"When I told them what it was for they were thrilled to be able to help," says Richie, who lives in the Lightmoor area of Telford. And he says the team have got an exciting future ahead of them – which means the gloves are likely to increase in value in years to come.
"The great thing is they're a young team, and they are now focused on doing big things in Tokyo in four years' time," he said.
The gloves will be available for inspection at Halls in Bowmen Way, Battlefield, Shrewsbury between 9.30am and 4.30pm on Tuesday, and then from 9am on the day of the auction. The auction starts at 10am, with the gloves expected to go under the hammer between 10.30am and 11.30am.
To bid live over the internet during the auction, please register online at www.the-sale room.com/halls before the sale begins.
For more information see www.hallsgb.com/auction/interiors-auction-sale-no-992/
