Taken at the University of Ulster in Belfast, this photo features Michael mid-way through an intense training session, with his father in the background.

The light, the location, the expression and the composure on Michael's face all led to this being tipped as one of our favourite photos of the year. The determination on his face seems to resonant all the more considering the fact that Michael was robbed during the Olympics over the summer and was vocally critically about amateur boxing.

Below is a shot of Michael and his brother training in an oxygen chamber which recreates the type of humidity levels and temperatures of Brazil.