BOXING: JAMIE Cox's Olympic dream is well and truly back on track after ending an uncertain couple of months by revealing he is staying amateur until at least Beijing 2008.

Since winning Commonwealth gold in Melbourne in March, Cox has almost been lured into the professional game on several occasions but, with extra funding now promised, he is ready to put pen to paper.

The professional/amateur saga was triggered after early promises of a funding increase by amateur chiefs looked to have been broken, but with pay issues now resolved, Cox insists staying amateur is his final decision.

Meeting the Amateur Boxing Association in Sheffield at the weekend, Cox was offered a 150 per cent funding increase and he is now ready to sign a contract committing him until Beijing 2008.

The Swindon southpaw admits the last few weeks have been a difficult time but is now looking forward to re-focusing on his boxing.

He said: "Now they have offered me and the other boxers the right amount of money I am delighted to be able to say I will be staying amateur.

"I was very close to turning professional because I felt I was being messed about a bit. They obviously realised they were in danger of losing some very good boxers and so offered us what we are worth.

"I have always wanted to fight in the Beijing Olympics and now I can go ahead with focusing on my training and making sure I am ready for it."

The 19-year-old Walcot boxer has also been given the incentive of a funding boost with good performances in July's European Championships, in Hungary, and then the World Championships in the Dominican Republic in November.

"It is all a massive relief," said Cox. "They have me in an Olympic squad and are putting their money to make sure myself and the others are ready for it.

"I am excited about the future now and will be doing everything to make sure I am ready for the Europeans in July.

"I think the Europeans is the toughest boxing event in the world because there it is concentrated with good boxers. Unlike the Olympics and the World, which are bigger events, you can't have an easy draw."

England coach Terry Edwards described the problems over the funding as a blip' and admitted his delight at having it all sorted out.

He said: "It is brilliant news.

"The last couple of months has been just one of those things with perhaps a lack of communication.

"We have been in a transitional period with switching our funding from Sport England to Sport UK.

"There has been a blip but it is all sorted now and contracts are being drawn up as we speak and they should be signed very soon.

"We can start looking forward now."