ANTHONY OGOGO’S coach at Triple A ABC has insisted the 23-year-old can’t afford to take his foot off the gas, despite the middleweight defeating world champion Ievgyn Khytrov to reach the Olympic Games quarter-finals yesterday.

Ogogo, came through a gruelling bout to win on the judges’ verdict at the ExCel Arena after the three-round bout finished 18-18 on points.

An appeal by the Ukranian’s team proved to be unsuccessful and Ogogo will now face German Stefan Hartel on Monday after he saw off the challenge of Ireland’s Darren O’Neill.

Cremin has coached Ogogo for 12 years and could not hide his delight after the bout, however he was quick to stress that the hard work was just about to begin, despite his protege being quickly installed as the gold medal favourite.

“It was a fantastic performance and Anthony’s desire to win was terrific,” said Cremin.

“He took a couple of silly shots but that did not do him any harm. He got caught up in a punch-up a couple of times, but for the main he stuck to his tactics.

“He has beaten the world champion in front of 10,000 people and it does not get much better than, but the job is not done yet.

“He faces the German in the next round and he will be scatty and rough and will chase Anthony around the ring for three rounds – exactly the type of opponent he does not want to face, so he will have to counter that.”

Ogogo’s latest victory is another boost for his home town of Lowestoft, while his success will have also lifted his family, with his mother Teresa still ill in hospital after suffering a brain haemorrage last month.

“I am over the moon for Anthony and what a great moment it is for Lowestoft,” said Cremin.

“Anthony has been through a lot but he can’t afford to switch off. He has got to out there and win for his mum and give her a boost in her recovery.”