Team GB Boxer Anthony Ogogo keeps Olympic dream alive

The brave quest for Olympic glory of Anthony Ogogo, whose mother recently suffered a brain haemorrhage, continues. The Lowestoft middleweight overcame Junior Castillo of the Dominican Republic on a 13-6 count in the preliminary round after the sudden illness of his mum, Teresa, caused him to consider withdrawing from the Games.  Competing in an Olympics is Ogogo's "dream", he said after this easy win, so this pushed him on. That, and his four sisters "ordering" him to fulfil his ambition. On a memorable day for the middleweight one of those sisters, Leanne, went into labour and is just "down the corridor" in the James Paget hospital, near Great Yarmouth, from Teresa, who is in a stable condition.  Ogogo said: "About six weeks ago my mum had a brain haemorrhage so she's been in hospital – in the critical care unit for a good month and she's been looked after. She's doing so well. Hopefully I've given her a boost and it will help in her recovery. For what she's doing and what's she's going through and how good she's done I'm so proud of her. Winning a medal at the Olympics is nothing in comparison.

"My eldest sister Leanne went into labour so I'll phone her and hope I have a little nephew or niece. She's just down the corridor from my Mum. It has been a really good day for the family. I've kept my focus. It makes me want it even more. My world has been incentivised by what's gone on, I'm working hard, and hopefully I will get what I feel like I deserve."  How had he negotiated these past six weeks? "Just with the help of my family, and friends and girlfriend – they've kind of got me through," Ogogo said. "There was a stage where I didn't think I was going to be boxing at the Olympic Games because it just didn't seem important with all that was going on at home with the family and stuff. But my sisters kind of ordered me back to Sheffield [where Team GB are based] to train with the squad. The team have been really good with me to: they've given me time off to go and see members of my family.  "I've just worked hard and focused on the goal because it was my dream. But you kind of put into perspective what's important or not – it just testament to my family and friends who kind of got me here and hopefully I'll do them even more proud and make my mum proud by wining a medal."  Cheered on by the sold-out arena at the ExCel and "Team Ogogo" – who consisted of three sisters, his girlfriend and friends all wearing T-shirts sporting the logo – the 23-year-old admitted to nerves during the opening round.

"It was amazing," he said. "Just the people in the crowd supporting me – it's quite emotional really. I walked to the ring and thought: 'lip don't quiver, don't quiver.' I was a bit tense in the opening round, to perform in front of that crowd, it was a bit nerve-racking. But I settled down, got into my rhythm."  Ogogo closed the opening three minutes just 3-2 ahead but he was about to pull away. His cleaner punches and greater work kept Castillo at range and after a fast flurry from the Dominican following the opening bell of round two, Ogogo's better work took his advantage to 8-3.  By ducking inside whenever Castillo advanced during the final round Ogogo stayed away from danger, preventing his opponent from adding to his tally. Now, he faces Levgen Khytrov, the Ukrainian world champion and No1 seed, who will provide a big step up in class.  Ogogo said: "It's going to be really hard, the draw was unkind was to me. My girlfriend said to me: 'If the wind won't get in your sails, use your oars.' So I'll have to row against the tide. He's world champion but with that crowd and my coaches, the team I've got, I feel I can rise to the occasion: the better my opponent, the better I usually perform.  "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I can beat him. It's going to be a much harder fight but I can't wait. It's the Olympic Games, you don't become Olympic champion without beating the best. It's about bringing the best of the best together. I'm going to rest up, get the tactics sorted out and crack on."