Olympic boxer Marcus Browne has made a big promise to Olympic fans. While in London, he will make a member of the Queen's Guard laugh, he said.
"I bet you I'm going to be one of the first guys to make one of those soldiers in front of the Queen's castle laugh," Browne said during live video chat with fans. "I promise you. I bet anything $20, 20 pounds, whatever you want to be me. I'm going to make one of them laugh.
"I'm not going to touch them, neither. I'm just going to do one of my silliest faces that none of you guys can do, and I'm going to make them laugh."
The promise is characteristic of the 21-year-old's outgoing and charismatic personality. The light-heavyweight (178-pound) boxer from Staten Island likes to have fun, but he knows when it's time to get down to work, too.
After all, Browne isn't heading to London simply to make a foot guard laugh. He also has hopes to come home with an Olympic gold medal.
"I don't plan on relaxing," Browne said during the live chat, which was part of the Team USA Digital Sendoff on July 11. "I'm not going to go there for vacation or sight-seeing. I'm going there for one thing only and that's to come home with a gold medal."
Browne began boxing when he was 13, and since then, the southpaw has claimed numerous awards and accolades. He's a three-time Golden Gloves winner and 2011 national PAL winner. He's boxed in Brazil and Azerbaijan, and he's ready to take on the best in the world in London.
For the most part, Browne is ready to begin the Olympic tournament, he said. He's on weight, ready to go, and anxious to get started. After all, the 2012 Olympic Games will be his first and last, he said.
"I'm looking forward to getting my first fight out of the way because the first fight is always the hardest and once you get on a roll you start winning and your start to look better as the tournament progresses.
He added: "I'm not going to Rio for 2016. This is my last hurrah -- my first and last Olympics, so I'm going to make the best of it. The moment is here. I have to seize it while it's here."
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Sandra Johnson is a longtime Olympic fan. While working for the United States Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, she had the opportunity to live in the Olympic Training Center alongside some of the amateur boxers. Follow her on Twitter: @SandraJohnson46
