Social networking off limits for Irish boxers

Twitter and Facebook are out of bounds for the Irish Olympic boxing squad during the Olympic Games.

Following a meeting at the squad’s training camp in Assisi, Italy, it was decided to put an embargo on commenting on all social networks until after the 30th Olympiad.

Team captain Darren O’Neill, John Joe Nevin and Adam Nolan posted notices on their Twitter and Facebook pages over the weekend revealing the decision.

Ireland finish their training camp in today and are set to arrive in London tomorrow ahead of Friday’s general weight-in and draw. The squad sparred with Italy and Azerbaijan and a team from the Ukraine and are relishing the commencement of competition according to team manager Des Donnelly. He said: “The squad had a good sparring session on Saturday and are due to spar Italy. Thankfully, we have no injury worries. Everyone is looking forward to getting into London to start off the Games now.

The seeding arrangements for boxing at London 2012 will be announced after Friday’s general weigh-in.

Katie Taylor and John Joe Nevin will be seeded as they are ranked number one and four in the women’s and men’s lightweight and bantamweight classes respectively.

It is understood the top six will be seeded in eight of the 10 men’s weight categories — top two for women — up to heavyweight and super-heavyweight, which are restricted to 16 boxers per weight class.

Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan and Adam Nolan are ranked outside the top six at light-flyweight, flyweight and welterweight and will not be seeded.

Boxing begins in the bantamweight and middleweight classes at the ExCel venue in London on Saturday.

The 2012 Olympics will set a new record with 13 weight categories, 10 male and three female.

Likewise, 13 gold, 13 silver and 26 bronze medals — both losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze — are up for grabs.