Category Archives: USA Boxing

amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing, women's boxing

USA Boxing Women’s Championships in Ohio to be delivered in association with World Boxing

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The inaugural USA Boxing Women’s Championships in Toledo, Ohio, July 22-29, 2023, will be delivered in association with World Boxing.

The eight-day invitational event is open to novice (beginner) and open (experienced) boxers of all ages from pee wee (aged 8-10) to masters (35 and over) and aims to create opportunities for women of all ages and abilities to compete.

More than 200 boxers from eight National Federations across four continents are currently registered to take part.

The President of USA Boxing and a member of World Boxing’s Interim Executive Board, Tyson Lee, said: “USA Boxing is extremely proud to be able to host this event in association with World Boxing.  The Championships aim to celebrate women and create valuable competition opportunities for female boxers of all standards and ages. 

“Working with USA Boxing to deliver this event is a sign of World Boxing’s support for boxers at every level, from the grassroots to the elite, and its commitment to creating competitive opportunities that will enable all boxers to flourish.”

World Boxing was launched in April 2023.  It will hold its inaugural Congress in November and plans to publish details of its competition strategy, tournament calendar and the bidding process for staging events in the latter part of 2023.

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Statik 360 is the Best Charger Cord You Will Ever Own

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Take it from the guys at Fight News Unlimited. We love this product. It is durable, practical and will keep your hassles with phone charging to a minimum. Check it out:

amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

Georgia flyweight Sa’Rai “Warrior Princess” Brown-El the future face of women’s boxing

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 14, 2022) – Georgia flyweight Sa’Rai “Warrior Princess” Brown-El is on a sensational run as she prepares to compete in the upcoming Youth World Championships, November 14-26, in La Nucia, Spain.

The 17-year-old from Marietta is a three-time National Junior Olympic champion (2017-19) who has also captured gold medals at the 2021 USA Boxing Youth National Championships, 2020 USA Boxing Junior National Championships, 2019 Junior Open and  2019 National PAL, among the many titles she owns.

She got into boxing at the age of 8 in Albany, New York, where her family was visiting, eventually leading them all to her uncle’s gym. Her father originally wanted her brothers to box, but Sa’Rai also wanted to get involved in combat sports. It was a natural transition for her, who is a legacy boxer because her father, mother and brothers have all boxed.

“Me and my mom went to find a pair of gloves after we were told there weren’t any left. I started hitting the bag and then I did mitts with my uncle. That’s where I fell in love with the sport and discovered I was naturally born to do this.”

She has excelled in every area on her remarkable roll, which she will attempt to extend at the Youth World Championships over the next two weeks.

“I am super pumped and ready to go to Spain for the Youth Worlds,” the ultra-confident Sa’Rai said. “My mindset is on gold. My manifestation and hard work will put me in top by the last day with the gold medal around my neck on that number one podium. It’s truly a blessing to be representing the USA.

“My biggest challenge is probably myself; boxing is 90-percent mental, meaning I have to have a mindset that nothing can be hard enough to stop me from reaching my goals. My short-range goals, right now, are to win the Youth Worlds and finish out the year making the Youth High Performance Team. Long range, I’d say, is to fight in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Being world champ, looked up to as an inspiration to all and, most importantly, having proven to be the most feared female boxer.”

Brown-El believes USA Boxing has helped in terms of working against other styles at tournaments, in addition to benefiting from training with her elite stablemates, and under the guidance of world-class coaches, at the state-of-the-art United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“I can show my skills and have learned many other skills and drills there (training center) to become a universal boxer,” she noted. “I’ve been able to go against every style there is in international fighting and be able to dominate every time. USA Boxing has taught me very valuable lessons: to be professional, disciplined and dedicated, because there are a lot of obstacles that come with it. For me, being professional is the only way to have a career in this sport.”
Winning at the 2021 National to be part of the 2022 Youth High Performance Team, thus far, are the highlights of her relatively young boxing career. To win that gold medal, Sa’Rai explained, she needed to push through injuries that nearly forced her to pull out of the tournament.

Brown-El has a high ring IQ. Basically, the sweet science is about hitting the opponent without getting hit, especially in Olympic style boxing. Her ring IQ is advanced beyond her years, using angles, constantly moving, and confusing her opponent with her evasiveness. And, Brown-El quickly adds, that doesn’t mean she won’t bang if needed.

“I love representing my country,” she concluded. “I want to show the world we are the greatest. Team USA will come out on top at the Youth Worlds. My message for U.S. boxing fans is to keep watching. The future of boxing is coming in hot!”

INFORMATION: www.usaboxing,org Twitter: @USABoxingInstagram: @USABoxingFacebook: /USABoxing 

ABOUT USA BOXING: The mission of USA Boxing shall be to enable United States’ athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence, develop character, support the sport of boxing, and promote and grow Olympic style boxing in the United States. The responsibility of USA Boxing is not only to produce Olympic gold, but also to oversee and govern every aspect of amateur boxing in the United States.
amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

Pennsylvania featherweight Cornellio Phipps living the dream 2022 Youth World Championships November 14-26 in La Nucia, Spain

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 10, 2022) – As talented featherweight Cornellio “Chada” Phipps prepares for the upcoming Youth World Championships, he admits to living the dream, and before he turns pro in a few years, the Olympic-style boxing plan for him is medaling in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

The 17-year-old Phipps, who fights out of Oxford, Pa., first got into boxing four years ago on the advice of his father. Phipps played basketball and football, but he didn’t feel either of those were his true spot. He actually fell in love with boxing while watching fights before he even boxed, when he was seven.   

“I tell people to never give up their dreams, to keep punching, and never let anybody doubt you,” Phipps said. “This feels good (preparing for the Youth Worlds). I never thought I’d get to this stage. It’s been tough but fun. I’m on Team USA representing my country.

“It starts on the big stage by me medaling at the Youth Worlds (November 14-26, in La Nucia, Spain). Being on Team USA has made a big difference for me. I’ve learned how to box against different moves, understanding the points system, and how to win. Training in Colorado Springs has helped me to succeed and also have fun learning from my new coaches.”

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Phipps has already tasted success prior to the Youth Worlds. He has captured gold medals at the 2022 USA Boxing National Qualifier, 2021 USA Boxing Youth National Championships, as well as the 2020 and 2019 Junior National Championships.

All-around boxer-puncher is the best way to describe Phipps style in the ring. He can brawl, box, and move around well. “I’m more of a boxer than brawler,” he noted. “I can fight on the outside or lay on the ropes. I move and show angles, plus I can easily switch to southpaw (from his orthodox stance).”

Like many of his young USA Boxing teammates, the Youth Worlds will be the first international competition of his career. These championships is something he is really looking forward to for a wide variety of reasons.

“I’m excited to be fighting on my first international competition at the Youth Worlds in Spain,” Phipps concluded. “I was supposed to fight in a tournament in Bulgaria in 2020, but that was canceled due to COVID. I’m going to show my skills at the Youth Worlds to prove I belong at the top level, and that is the Olympics.”

Competition begins in La Nucia, Spain on Tuesday, Nov. 15 and can be followed along by clicking here.

INFORMATION:

www.usaboxing,org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing 

ABOUT USA BOXING:  The mission of USA Boxing shall be to enable United States’ athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence, develop character, support the sport of boxing, and promote and grow Olympic style boxing in the United States. The responsibility of USA Boxing is not only to produce Olympic gold, but also to oversee and govern every aspect of amateur boxing in the United States.

amateur boxing, USA Boxing

USA Boxing finalizes 2022 Youth World Championship Team Members

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 7, 2022) — USA Boxing announced today the nine boxers who will represent Team USA in La Nucia, Spain at the 2022 Youth World Boxing Championships. Full team roster can be seen below.

USA Boxing National Developmental Coach Chad Wigle (Colorado Springs, Colo.) will lead the team in Spain, with assistant coaches Gilberto Garza (San Antonio, Texas), Blanca Gutierrez (Pacifica, Calif.), Elizabeth Navarro (Mission, Texas) and Richard Stephenson (Middletown, N.Y.), as well as USA Boxing Strength and Conditioning Fellow Gillian Brennan (Overland Park, Kan.). Additional staff traveling with the team include USA Boxing High Performance Coordinator Morgan Bergquist (Colorado Springs, Colo.), USA Boxing Communications Manager Brian Taylor (Whiteville, N.C.) and Dr. Ingrid Carter (Doral, Fla.), who will serve as the Team Physician during these championships.

These Youth World Championships will be the first Youth World Championships attended by Team USA since 2018, where the team won three gold and one bronze medals. The Official Draw will take place on Monday, Nov. 14, with competition set to begin on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Finals will be divided into two days of competition on Friday, Nov. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 26.

All nine boxers will be making their Team USA international debuts at these World Championships.

89 nations have applied to participate in the tournament, with 476 male and 208 female boxers registered to compete. Final numbers will be announced at the tournament draw.

USA Boxing will continue to update the 2022 Youth World Championships website throughout the competition, including bout sheets, results, livestream information and more.

Team Roster

51 kg: Ryan Williams, Toledo, Ohio

52 kg: Sa’Rai Brown-El, Marietta, Ga.

57 kg: Cornellio Phipps, Oxford, Pa.

57 kg: Yoseline Perez, Houston, Texas

60 kg: Randi Griffith, Gouverneur, N.Y.

63.5 kg: Dedrick Crocklem, Tacoma, Wash.

71 kg: Amir Anderson, Syracuse, N.Y.

75 kg: Talia Halvorsen, Harwood Heights, Ill.

80 kg: Patrick O’Connor, Fort Washington, Md.

www.usaboxing,org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing 

ABOUT USA BOXING:  The mission of USA Boxing shall be to enable United States’ athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence, develop character, support the sport of boxing, and promote and grow Olympic style boxing in the United States. The responsibility of USA Boxing is not only to produce Olympic gold, but also to oversee and govern every aspect of amateur boxing in the United States.

amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

USA Boxing Alumni Association to Host Northeast Ohio Celebration at National Qualifier

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Col. (March 10, 2023) — The USA Boxing Alumni Association will host two events during the 2022 National Qualifier in Cleveland, Ohio, to honor Northeast Ohio Olympians, World Champions, legendary coaches and officials, and others who have helped shape history of amateur Olympic-style boxing in the region. 

The weekend celebration will begin with a meet and greet gathering on Saturday, April 23 at Masthead Brewing Company. This will be open to all USA Boxing Alumni Association members to gather ahead of the weeklong national tournament. The event, which will be free entry, will run from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The events will continue on Sunday, April 24 at the Crowne Plaza Ballroom for the Northeast Ohio Alumni Celebration Banquet. Two-time welterweight champion and Northeast Ohio native “Showtime” Shawn Porter will serve as Master of Ceremonies of the event that is expected to include Ohio greats like Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Raynell Williams, Charles Conwell, Terrell Gausha, Delante Johnson, Oshae Jones, Mickey Bey, Kelly Pavlik, and many more.

“I’m excited about Cleveland hosting this major National USA Boxing tournament,” said former IBF and WBC welterweight champion, Shawn Porter. “We were like a family growing up through the amateur system. I can’t wait to MC this Alumni Association banquet and have fun just like old times.”

The USA Boxing Alumni Association will also be awarding Lifetime Achievement Awards at the event.

The event, which will be from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., will be a ticketed event. Tickets will be $65.00 and will include dinner. Limited tickets will be available for purchase here. There will be no tickets sold at the door, so be sure to get them while they last.

“The USA Boxing Alumni Association is extremely excited to honor Northeast Ohio legends to kick off the National Qualifier,” said Chris Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Association Director. “This weekend will bridge the past with the present. By celebrating the accomplishments of these great champions, coaches, and officials, we hope to inspire the next generation of champions on their road to the 2024 Olympics.”

For more information, please contact alumni@usaboxing.org.
 
USA Boxing Alumni Association
Created to champion lifelong, mutually beneficial relationships between USA Boxing and its alumni, –boxers, officials, coaches, and boxing fans — The Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, in and out of the ring.

The USA Boxing Alumni Association is open to anyone who has a love for boxing and would like to stay connected with amateur boxing. Members are granted access to a wide variety of special events hosted by the Alumni Association, including its annual USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception.

To join the Alumni Association, simply register at alumni@usaboxing.org for a $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, keychain, and e-wallet.

INFORMATION:
www.usaboxing.org
Twitter: @USABoxing, USABoxingAlumni
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing

ABOUT USA BOXING:  The mission of USA Boxing shall be to enable United States’ athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence, develop character, support the sport of boxing, and promote and grow Olympic style boxing in the United States. The responsibility of USA Boxing is not only to produce Olympic gold, but also to oversee and govern every aspect of amateur boxing in the United States.
boxing, USA Boxing

Four Team USA Boxers Advance to Finals of 2021 World Championships

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BELGRADE, Serbia (November 4, 2021) — Team USA’s impressive 2021 Elite Men’s World Championships will continue into the finals, as four boxers won their semifinal bouts to advance to their championship bout.
 
Flyweight Roscoe Hill (Spring, Texas) kicked off the evening session for Team USA in dominating fashion over his opponent, Akhtem Zakirov, of the Russian Boxing Federation. Hill used his height to his full advantage over Zakirov to take all five judges’ cards every round. Hill will face the 2020 Olympic bronze medalist and 2019 World Championships bronze medalist Saken Bibossinov of Kazakhstan on Saturday.
 
The American will look to become the first American male featherweight World Champion since Rau’shee Warren accomplished the feat in 2007. Hill is also the first World Championships flyweight male medalist since 2011, when Warren won silver.
 
Jahmal Harvey (Oxon Hill, Md.) picked up his fourth win of these World Championships to secure his spot in the featherweight finals. Harvey, who was facing 2020 Olympian Samuel Kisohurry of France, began the bout extremely strong, taking all five judges’ cards at the end of the round. The American did not slow down in the second, taking all five cards again to have a comfortable lead heading into the final round.
 
Even with a 3-2 final round in favor of Kisohurry, the 18-year-old American claimed the unanimous decision to set up a final against 2020 Olympian Serik Temirzhanov of Kazakhstan on Saturday.
 
Rahim Gonzales (Las Vegas, Nev.) closed out the evening session with what may end up being the bout of the whole World Championships. Gonzales was faced with the tough task of taking to the ring with Serbia’s own Vladimir Mironchikov.
 
After seeing the first round go in favor of Mironchikov, 4-1, Gonzales came back strong in the second round, taking the round 3-2. With the bout on the line, the American light heavyweight did not back down and left it all in the ring to grab all five judges’ cards and the final decision, 3-2. Gonzales, who has earned just the fourth light heavyweight World Championship medal since 1974 and first medalists since Michael Simms gold in 1999, will step into the ring on Saturday with Aliaksei Alfiorau of Belarus. 
                                                                                                      
Welterweight Omari Jones (Orlando, Fla.) was scheduled to go head-to-head against Georgia’s Lasha Guruli in the first session of the day, however, Guruli pulled out of the competition due to injury, advancing Jones to the finals against 2020 Olympian Sewonrets Okazawa of Japan, tomorrow.
 
Jones is now guaranteed either a silver or gold medal in his World Championships debut and becomes the first American male to win a welterweight World Championships medal since Demetrius Andrade won gold in 2007.
 
Jones will compete in tomorrow’s first day of finals, while Harvey, Hill and Gonzales will take to the ring on Saturday. Click here to follow all the action.
 
Semifinal Results
51 kg: Roscoe Hill, Spring, Texas/USA, dec. over Akhtem Zakirov/RBF, 5-0
57 kg: Jahmal Harvey, Oxon Hill, Md./USA, dec. over Samuel Kistohurry/FRA, 5-0
67 kg: Omari Jones, Orlando, Fla./USA, won by walkover over Lasha Guruli/GEO, WO
80 kg: Rahim Gonzales, Las Vegas, Nev./USA, dec. over Vladimir Mironchikov/SRB, 3-2
amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

U.S. hope Jahmal Harvey defeated the reigning AIBA World Champion in the featherweight division

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(L-R) Jahmal Harvey & Mirazizbek Mirzakhailov


BELGRADE, Serbia – October 29, 2021 – The United States’ teenage hope Jahmal Harvey delivered the upset performance of in the afternoon session of the fourth day at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. Harvey eliminated Uzbekistan’s defending AIBA World Champion Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov to reach the 1/8 final.


Harvey will turn 19 later this year, but the US boxer proved that he is a fantastic talent in boxing.  He had some difficulties in the first round in his opening bout, but he managed to beat Belgium’s Vasile Usturoi in a hectic fight. Harvey’s Irish coach Billy Walsh prepared the strategy for his second contest against Mirzakhalilov, reigning AIBA World Champion and Asian Games winner.


The Uzbek boxer is one of the top stars of the AIBA World Boxing Championships. but his US rival surprised him with his effective counter-punching and top level of footwork. Harvey exceeded all of the expectations in this featherweight (57kg) bout and eliminated the defending champion.


“I believed in myself, my skills and on my coaches today,” Harvey said, “and I knew that I could make it. The first round was very important, and I gave in everything to take the lead on the scorecards to follow my own strategy. I have the physical condition to keep in the same level until the very end. The atmosphere is impressive in this event, and I am happy that part of it.”
boxing, Olympics, USA Boxing

Split-T Management signs Heavyweight Prospect Antonio Mireles; 2020 USA Super Heavyweight Olympic Trial Champion

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2020 USA Super Heavyweight Olympic Trial Champion


NEW YORK (July 21 2021) – Split-T Management is pleased to announce the signing of its biggest athlete in 6’9″ Iowa-native Antonio Mireles.

Mireles, 24 years-old of Des Moines, Iowa is affectionately known as “The Lincoln Giant” because of his tremendous stature and status as a graduate of Lincoln High School in Des Moines.

“I am very excited to sign with Split-T Management. They had their eye on me as an amateur. They saw me in a few tournaments and they were impressed. The goal was the Olympics and now I am ready to turn professional,” said Mireles.


“I am a boxer, I like to keep my opponents at bay and use my range. I am out in Oxnard training with Robert Garcia and hopefully will make my debut in September.”

“I am as excited about signing Antonio as anyone I’ve ever signed,” said David McWater of Split-T Management. “I think he has the ability to be heavyweight champion of the world some day and the opportunity to be a tremendous star.”

Mireles, of Mexican-American descent, initially began boxing at the Des Moines PAL at the age of 12 and started competing at 15. He was guided for his entire amateur career by a pair of two strong coaches in John Saunders and Elly Nunez. 

In his relatively brief, but extremely successful run in the amateurs, Mireles compiled a record of 28-4 with 10 knockouts – culminating in winning the 2020 USA Olympic Trials in the Super Heavyweight division. He was also a 2019 National Golden Gloves Champion, a 2019 Eastern Elite Amateur Champion and a five-time Iowa Golden Gloves Champion.

Mireles has already impressed new coach Robert Garcia in his transition to the pro ranks, with Garcia noting his new fighters dedication, boxing skills, and “great power” as reasons for a successful future together.
boxing, Olympics, USA Boxing

Six Team USA Boxers Punch Ticket to Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 12, 2021) — The Boxing Task Force (BTF) announced today the 49 quota places, originally to be awarded at the Road to Tokyo Americas Qualifier, that were awarded to boxers to compete in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 this summer. The quota places included six Team USA boxers, which was based off the BTF Rankings.  

“These six boxers have been staples within our program and have established themselves amongst the world’s best by their performances during the past quad,” stated USA Boxing High Performance Director Matt Johnson. “Now it is time for them to perform at the world’s biggest stage in Tokyo.” 

Representing Team USA at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, pending United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee approval, will be Rashida Ellis (Lynn, Mass.) Virginia Fuchs(Houston, Texas), Naomi Graham (Fayetteville, N.C.), Delante Johnson (Cleveland, Ohio), Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio) and Richard Torrez Jr. (Tulare, Calif.). All six boxers will be competing in their first Olympic Games.  

2019 Elite Women’s World Championships bronze medalist Ellis will compete in the women’s lightweight (132 lbs./60 kg) division. Ellis won bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games to add to her BTF rankings to solidify her position in Tokyo as the second highest ranked America’s boxer and 12th overall in her weight class. Ellis will be looking to win Team USA’s first women’s lightweight Olympic medal.  

“Qualifying for the Olympics has been one of my deepest dreams,” mentioned Ellis. “I never doubt my ability. I have stopped being afraid of what could go wrong and start being excited about what could go right. So, I embrace my mistakes and learn from them, as my mistakes have helped me improve and reach the Olympics. I don’t do easy; I make things happen. The hard work and dedication with effort and determination, I can succeed.” 

Fuchs will represent Team USA in the flyweight division (112 lbs./51 kg). The 33-year-old will be looking to earn USA Boxing its second medal in the women’s flyweight division since the introduction of the event in London 2012. Fuchs brings an impressive resume to the ring, including a bronze medal at the 2018 Elite Women’s World Championships and silver medal from the 2019 Pan American Games, which places her as the second highest America’s flyweight boxer and 16th overall in the BTF rankings.  

“I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time. I am so excited I can finally call myself an Olympian,” stated Fuchs. “With all this world has been through and having to postpone the Olympics a whole year, I am proud to say I am one of the participants in what will be known as the most recognized Olympics in history. I am ready to represent my country in the most respected way and bring home the gold!” 

2019 Pan American Games Graham is the highest seeded America’s female middleweight (165 lbs./75 kg) boxer in the BTF rankings, where she currently sits eighth overall. Graham earned points from her Pan American Games title, as well as her third-place finish at the 2018 Elite Women’s World Championships and top five finish at the 2019 edition. Graham, who will become USA Boxing’s first active female military member to compete in an Olympic Games, will be in contention to grab Team USA’s third straight Olympic gold medal in the women’s middleweight division.  

“It feels unreal that I am going to the Olympics,” Graham stated when talking about earning her place to Tokyo. “I continue to surprise myself by finding my own limits, and then having the courage to blow past them.”  

Joneswill step into the ring in one of the two newly added women’s weight classes, the welterweight (152 lbs./69 kg) division. Jones, who made history in 2019 with her gold medal performance at the Pan American Games, will look to continue making history by becoming the first Olympic gold medalists in her weight division. The 23-year-old added valuable points to her rankings with her top five placement at the 2019 Elite Women’s World Championships to finish as the top America’s boxer and seventh in the overall BTF rankings for the welterweight division to punch her ticket to the Olympics.  

“I may only take up one spot, but my one spot represents so much,” shared Jones. “I’m beyond grateful for the chance to represent women, African Americans, my small city of Toledo, but most importantly, my country.” 

The second Ohioan to represent Team USA, Johnson, extends the streak of Cleveland-native boxing Olympians to four, following in the footsteps of Charles Conwell (2016), Terrell Gausha (2012) and Raynell Williams (2008). The welterweight (152 lbs./69 kg), who first caught the attention of the boxing world with his gold medal performance at the 2016 Youth World Championships, earned his ranking points through his bronze medal finish at the 2019 Pan American Games and top 16 placement at the 2019 Elite World Championships. Johnson was the third highest seeded America’s boxer and 19th overall.  

“My struggles are my stripes, and I wear them on my back, so that the people around me can see that even when you’re living in a jungle, you can still chase your dreams,” stated Johnson. “I am not only doing this for my city, but for my two coaches, Dante Benjamin Sr. and Clint Martin, whom I lost during my journey to these Games.”  

Torrez, the highest ranked super heavyweight (201+ lbs./91+ kg) boxer from the Americas and 11th overall, earned his place through his third-place performance at the 2019 Pan American Games and top five standing at that year’s Elite Men’s World Championships. Torrez, a former Youth World Championships bronze medalist, will be the first American boxer to compete in this weight class since 2012.  

“Everyone is happy they’re going to the Olympics, it’s everyone’s dream, but I need to be there,” said Torrez. “The fire that was instilled in me before I could even walk, that drives me to be the best, the fire that has been in my family for generations, has overflowed. It has set ablaze all my second options, and it has made ashes of any other possibility besides that of success.” 

Team USA will be guided by USA Boxing National Head Coach Billy Walsh during these Olympic Games. 

“It is fantastic news for our six boxers who have worked endlessly for the past five years to become an Olympian,” Walsh shared.  “We now focus on the next stage of the process, to become an Olympic Champion.” 

The boxing competition will begin on Saturday, July 24th (JST). Continue to check usaboxing.org and USA Boxing’s social media platforms to stay updated on more information regarding the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.  

All team nominations are subject to USOPC approval.  

INFORMATION: 

www.usaboxing.org 

Twitter: @USABoxing 

Instagram: @USABoxing 

Facebook: /USABoxing 

ABOUT USA BOXING:  To promote and grow Olympic-style amateur boxing in the United States and to inspire the tireless pursuit of Olympic gold and enable athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence. Additionally, USA Boxing endeavors to teach all participants the character, confidence and focus they need to become resilient and diverse champions, both in and out of the ring. USA Boxing is one team, one nation, going for gold!