AN emotional Anthony Ogogo almost turned his back on his Olympic dream after his mother Teresa was taken ill, the boxer has revealed.

The Suffolk middleweight secured his dream ticket to this month’s Games after winning a silver medal at April’s European Championships in Turkey.

Ogogo battled against the odds to make the London showpiece, returning well ahead of schedule, after undergoing a shoulder operation late last year.

However, the 23-year-old’s preparations were turned upside down two weeks ago when the woman he describes as his “ultimate hero” was taken ill.

As a result, the former Kirkley High School pupil called into question his very participation in the tournament which begins on July 28 at the ExCel Arena, in the Capital.

But despite the most “heartbreaking” fortnight of the 2010 Commonwealth silver medallist’s life, Ogogo is determined to battle on in his pursuit of a medal and make his mother proud.

“Winning the Olympic gold medal was pretty much the only thing I cared about, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do,” said Ogogo.

“However when something happens like this, it renders all other things irrelevant.

“I wrestled with what to do for a few days, whether to even compete at the Olympics, but I know how proud I made my mum when, throughout all the adversity, I finally came through to qualify, so competing and giving it my all and winning a medal will mean everything to her.

“The last two weeks have been the most heartbreaking of mine and my family’s life without a shadow of a doubt. I can happily admit that I’ve never cried so much.

“Those who have followed me throughout my career to date will know that I have never shied away from naming my mum as my ultimate hero. She is my true inspiration and I can testify that my four sisters feel the same.”

Determined to win a medal, Ogogo would follow in the footsteps of past Olympians such as Audley Harrison (gold), James DeGale (gold) and Amir Khan (silver) should he achieve the feat.