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They call it an "Indian summer" in England when the warmth lingers on into Autumn, into September. Six English lads have struck their summer at the end of November.

Ryan Pickard and his chums hit the hundred-degree sun in Melbourne, Australia on their way to the Commonwealth Youth Games at Bendigo 100 miles north.

Suddenly it's summer. After workout, a dip in the Bay. From left, lightweight Gary Barker, welterweight Ryan Pickard, light-welter Bradley Saunders, middleweight James Deagale, featherweight James McElvaney and bantamweight Liam Walsh.

After a solid ninety minutes' workout in the gymnasium of John Hoyne at southern bayside, the six Angles crossed to Carrum beach two furlongs away and plunged into Port Phillip Bay. The Australian summer temperature was 35 degrees, touching the 100 centigrade.

The Angles are all around 18 years old and they fight it out at Bendigo in a field of a dozen nations on Wednesday to Friday, December 1,2,3.

That could be extended to Tuesday. If there are more than eight boxers in a weight division, it will require a fourth session.
You might expect the competitors would by now know the final entries . . but word has not filtered east from Boxing Australia headquarters in Adelaide.

Getting serious. Middleweight Deagale, welterweight Pickard.

Ryan Pickard the six foot England welterweight is making an impression. He won silver in the world cadet title, has a 47-8 ticket, and is 69kg division favourite in the absence of data which welters the other 12 nations are fielding. Aussie entry is Dean Russell of NSW.
Pickard comes from Repton ABC, founded 120 years ago, one of the world's first boxing clubs. His trainer Tony Barnes will fly from London to reinforce a strong corner.

Bradley Saunders from England NE boxes 64kg . Brad has an imposing 77-6 card. Home fighter is WA's Michael Hatwell, with only a third as many bouts but the double scalp of Heath Ellis on his belt.

Gary Barker, lightweight, score 38-6, is a quick mover regarded as the equal of his brother Darren Barker.
Darren won gold at Manchester Commonwealth Games and is shaping for a Daniel Geale goldens clash in the future.

Biggest England rep is the middleweight , James Deagale, world title quarter-finalist. James is a southpaw - same as Australia's powerful entry from the Logan Team in Queensland, Omar Shaick.

Featherweight James McElvaney, a month under 18, scalped two Aussies in London a year ago. Mac has 42-8 and is from Durham.

The bantamweight , Liam Walsh, from Cromer, Norfolk, sports 19-10 - a deceptive stat, for he's a quick worker.
Australia's 54 kg entry, Davey Browne, has grown two divisions since the Nationals in March and packs about 80 bouts experience.

The England squad are lodged at Monash University. They see the sights in a bus supplied by CYG (Commonwealth Youth Games).

The leadership is Ian Irwin, National coach since 1989; Chris Edmunds, National junior coach; and travelling Team doctor (how's that for modern), Dr Michael Loosemore.

FOL will bring you basics on the Scots, Irish, South Africans, Indians, Kiwis and Pacific boxers in future reports . . if word of their whereabouts leaks out from Adelaide.

Mick O'Brien's Olympic Boxing Academy Phone/Fax: 61 08 9445 2667       Mobile: 0417 936 707