Andover boxer to compete at Commonwealth Games this summer

Martez Cope, from Legacy Boxing in Andover, will fly to Glasgow with coach Ricki Gayati in late July.

The pair will stay in the athletes' village for two weeks until the games finish.

Ricki has been talking to the Jamaican Boxing Federation for the last year about Martez’s progress for the upcoming games.

Boxer Martez Cope with compete at the Commonwealth Games with the support of coach Ricki Gayati. (Image: Legacy Boxing)

He said: “I first reached out to Leroy Brown (head of Jamaican Boxing) when I noticed the games were to be held in Glasgow.

“I have several boxers in my gym who would technically qualify to represent Jamaica, so decided to peruse whether or not this would be feasible.

“The board were excited and impressed with the footage they saw of Martez and he will now be their sole representative within boxing this year at the games.”

Martez has lived in Andover for most of his life and is proud to represent the town.

Ricki added: “I don’t believe there has ever been an athlete from this town represent their country at such an event.

“So our aim is to take the support of the town with us.”

Competing at the Commonwealth Games puts Martez as the front runner to represent Jamaica in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, should he qualify.