Australia’s most promising boxers are being put through their paces at the Australian Institute of Sport to unearth the next Lionel Rose.

The intensive training camp is part of the Australian Sport Commission’s National Talent Identification and Development (NTID) program.

The boxers attending are fighting for selection for NTID Centre of Excellence scholarship positions.

The program aims to identify and develop boxing champions for the London 2012 Olympics.

NTID Boxing head coach Don Abnett is excited about the quality of athletes attending the camp, including Beijing Olympian Luke Boyd.

‘Having a boxer of Luke’s quality and experience training with us is priceless for rising stars such as Cameron Hammond, who is proving to be a great prospect for the London Olympics.

‘Most of the boxers attending the camp have been identified by the NTID program as having the potential to represent Australia, with the hope of winning an Olympic medal,’ Abnett said.

Centres of Excellence for boxing have been set up by the NTID program around Australia in locations that are hot spots for boxing talent, including Lismore, Brisbane, Sydney and Darwin, and work is being done to establish one in Perth.

‘Each state and territory is being represented at the camp, which proves that our program is very successful in finding talent from all parts for the country,’ Abnett said.

Up to 20 athletes will be selected to take up a six-month Centre of Excellence scholarship, offering them the opportunity to train with Centre of Excellence coaches under the supervision of a dedicated AIS–NTID boxing coach.