The exciting 21-year-old middleweight secured his place in the May 14 ABA final with victory over two-time National champion and former World and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Neil Perkins on Sunday.
It confirmed his status as one of the finest amateurs in the country - a fact that continues to be overlooked by the British Amateur Boxing Association.
Tyson Fury's cousin, from Carrington, is still without Lottery funding and hasn't been picked for England since winning his one and only bout for his country last November.
Now he hopes a second ABA title, against Lottery-funded Anthony Ogogo, will pile the pressure on performance director Rob McCracken.
Despite being ranked England's No 1 amateur middleweight, Burton has neither been picked for GB Boxing's Development nor Podium squads for London 2012. Should he retain his ABA title, it would only make the decision to overlook him seem even more bizarre.
But rather than funding, he insists his main goal is to represent his country.
"It's horrible and it's disheartening," he said. "I've boxed really good kids and beaten them all, so I don't see why they won't pick me.
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"It's made me work even harder this year because I want to prove that it wasn't a fluke when I won the title last year.
"I think I will win again and then surely they will have no choice but to pick me.
"Other amateurs have turned pro because they've been overlooked, but I don't want to turn pro. I'm 21 and all I want to do is represent my country at London 2012."
Top amateurs have been snubbed in the past because they have not necessarily had a point-scoring style suited to the Olympics.
But Burton, who has excelled since he was 15 - winning schoolboy titles and Boys' Club titles, as well as reaching back-to-back National ABA finals, has proven his credentials to compete in this year's European Championships and Commonwealth Games.
Success in those and he would be one of Britain's brightest medal hopes for 2012.
Burton is trained by Joe Gallagher and represents Jimmy Egan's Academy in Wythenshawe.
Gallagher believes pressure must be put on selectors to bring him out from the cold.
"What they are doing to someone who only wants to represent his country is a disgrace," he said. "Even if he doesn't win another ABA title, he's already shown that he should be Lottery-funded.
"If it was Linford Christie or Tom Daley overlooked like this, there would be a national outcry." Tweet
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Hosea Burton is a beautiful boxer, glides around the ring gracefully and can scrap and fight like his life depends on it if he needs to. As a matter of fact: Hosea, Chasey and Zak are all quality boxers and can fight as well. To ignore Hosea is a bloody disgrace and surely has to be investigated as I for one have witnessed it far too many times, that these kids from their background are ill treated through prejudice.
It must stop!
Hands of Stone, Southside, Manchester UK
17/03/2010 at 18:09
My opinion on this has been further strengthened since march :-
Surely race equality or someone should be lookiong at this? Even if they put out the ABA/Olympic point scoring argument: just look at his record in this scoring sysgtem already? Sure the bot can scrap but trust me the travelling boys don't get any favours if they want to fight rather than box, so that theory just doesn't hold any water for me - Its obvious whats going on, but Joe and Hosea can hardly say it can they?
It is a disgrace and seemingly the last 'acceptable' form of prejudice, its bang out of order and it stinks!
Hosea Burton deserves his chance. It's disgusting that the old men who run the ABA are stopping a young man fulfil his dreams, due to what appears to be descrimination. I saw the same thing Happen to Michael Armstrong(Gomez) many years ago, forcing his to turn professional at 18.
However, Hosea could help his case by staying away from pro gyms such as Joe Gallaghers, as its no secret that the Amateur Boxing Asociation are not keen on their amateurs training and sparring with pro's.
Joe Gallagher has said that he doesn't want Hosea to turn pro for 3 or 4 years so why does he do all of his training in a pro gym, when the amateur game is a totally different style of boxing to the pro game?
If Hosea joined an amateur club such as Northside or Bridgewater, and kept out of the pro gyms, I am sure the ABA will look more favourably at him and give him the shot he deserves.
whats the ABA's side of the story? did the journalist ask them?
The journalist either didn't ask the ABA or the ABA refused to comment.
Rob McCracken is the ABA high performance director and Richie Woodall is also working for the ABA to prepare boxers for the 2012 Olympics. Joe Gallagher spent 4 or 5 hours under the same roof as Rob an Richie at Widnes (Hosea was also there), so it would be interested to find out if Joe Gallagher, Hosea or someone representing him were able to speak to Rob or Richie and gain clarification on the situation.
This issue needs sorting out and the call in the court of the ABA.
There is a general discrimination against these lads and their background, culture, heritage - Also, didn't mcracken corner Tyson for one fight and aren't Tyson and Hosea cousins? Makes you wonder!
Whatever it is, its bent and whilst I understand them not wanting to rock the boat at the moment (which is wise) if he doesn;t get his deserved place then surely there must be a legal angle at which to approach and challenge this prejudice.
Pat: Doesn't Hosea box out of Jimmy Egans?
I met Hosea last week in a professional capacity, he was polite and excited about hopefully representing his country and is doing all he can to succeed. Give him a chance and give him funding and what he wants most in life is to box.