WORLD champion Lauren Price says she is determined to not waste any time securing Olympic qualification when places are up for grabs this spring.

London’s Copper Box Arena hosts the European Boxing Road to Tokyo Olympic Qualifying Event from March 14-24, the first of two chances Price has of making the 2020 Games.

Other continental events are taking place in China, Senegal and Argentina, before fighters from across the globe get a final chance to secure qualification in Paris from May 13-24.

Up to 450 men and women from as many as 50 countries will compete at the London event, which has 77 Olympic places at stake.

The competition will feature eight men’s weight categories and five for women – 50 qualification places are available for men and 27 for women.

Eight men and five women from the GB Boxing squad will be selected to compete in London, and 75kg star Price could well be joined by Pontypool ABC stablemate Rosie Eccles.

Caldicot’s Eccles, the Commonwealth Games and European Championships medallist at 69kg, is vying for a place at the event with England’s Sandy Ryan.

GB Boxing say the full make-up of the British squad for London will be announced in the first week of February, with Eccles hoping her defeat of Ryan at the Europeans last August.

GB Boxing’s women were not able to attend yesterday’s launch of the London event as they are at a training camp in Colorado.

But speaking earlier in the week, Price, who became Wales’ first world amateur champion in November, said: “Last year was amazing for me winning the World Championships and going unbeaten throughout the whole 12 months, so I am just going to continue to work hard and do everything I can to keep on winning.

“Going to the Olympic Games has been a dream since I was eight years old – it’s why I got into sport in the first place – and I am determined to take this opportunity to book my place for Tokyo at the first time of asking.”

GB Boxing performance director Rob McCracken added: “Our boxers had a very good year in 2019, when the men and women won 16 medals at four major competitions, so they are coming into 2020 in a good run of form.

“The qualifier will be very tough as a lot of the European nations are strong in boxing, so it is good that it is taking place in this country.

“Hopefully the home support will spur our boxers on and help them to perform at their best.”

The IOC’s decision to stage the European qualifier in London was welcomed by mayor of the capital Sadiq Khan.

“London is the sporting capital of the world and it’s fantastic we’re hosting yet another world-class event," he said.

"Londoners and visitors alike can look forward to a thrilling spectacle at the Olympic Park in March, as Europe’s best boxers compete for a place in the Tokyo 2020 Games.”