Funding comes from Govt. They are very keen to fund olympic sports where competitors have a chance of winning medals. If the UK doesnt win medals then funding will be cut. The multi-weight nature of boxing means there is more chance of return on that investment than say for the high jump or javelin. I dont think there's any doubt that the drastic increase in funding has made a huge difference to success in the big tournaments - Britain wins most of its medals in events like Swimming, Cycling, Sailing where equipment and training is often prohibitively expensive for the majority of people in the poorer nations of the world.
Yes I think your right what they want is medals and I guess that target tat in whatever way they possibly can. Really good to see from a boxing fans perspective but as you say you can see the difference where the funds have been targeted. Callum Smith is on very soon according to Dennen
Can someone explain why they have to reach a certain stage of the tournament to qualify? Is there a point scoring system or something?
It all depends on who has qualified already, I think the heavy/super heavys have less entrants so they have to progress further to qualify whereas some weights have boxers who are already through so depending on the numbers there are only so many places to take. Bit of a head scramble at this stage but everyone is fighting for the last chance saloon places in retrospect.
I seen a list youve got to make the finals or top 3 ( in some weights)to make the cut , really exciting wish i could watch it.