Category Archives: USA Boxing

pib xyaum ua boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

Simply the best….. Roy Jones, Jr.

Cia ib saib
USA Boxing Alumni Association, Class of 2018 Inductee

COLORADO SPRINGS, Ncej puab. (Cuaj hlis 6, 2018) – Living legend Roy Jones, Jr., universally recognized as one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers of all-time, leads a celebrated quintet of Class of 2018 inductees into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

The second annual USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception, held in conjunction with the 2018 USA Boxing Elite and Youth National Championships and Junior and Prep Open, Kaum Ob Hlis Ntuj 2-8, will be held Dec. 7, at the Radisson Hotel (215 S. Temple St.) in Salk Lake City, Utah.

 

 

 

 

Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd rau Jones, lub chav kawm ntawv ntawm 2018 also includes two U.S. Olympic gold medalists and world (kev) champions, Lwm Ward thiab Claressa Shields, as well as former USA Boxing National Director of Coaching Emanuel Steward and veteran USA Boxing official Tom Cleary. The latter two will be posthumously inducted.

 

 

 

The charter class inducted last year included Muhammad Ali thiab Evander Holyfield, as well as veteran coaches Roosevelt Sanders thiab Tom Coulter.

 

 

 

“I am honored to be selected for induction into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame,” Jones commented, “especially as a member of this great class with my fellow inductees.

 

 

 

“Amateur boxing gave me the chance to learn life skills as well as face every other possible scenario inside of the ring.”

 

 

 

Jones, Tiam sis, got into boxing at the age of 11 because of Ali. “I saw Ali vs. (Joe) Frazierand just felt as though Ali and I had the same mental concept on life,” Jones explained.

 

 

 

Jones went on to become one of the best amateur boxers in the world, compiling a reported 121-13 cov ntaub ntawv, including gold medal performances at the 1984 National Junior Olympics and 1986 & 1987 National Golden Gloves Tournaments.

 

 

 

Thaum lub 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Kauslim, Jones reached the championship final of the light middleweight division against Park Si-Hun, of South Korea. Jones suffered arguably the worst decision in boxing history, losing 3-2, despite outpunching his opponent, 86 rau 32 landed punches, and he was forced to settle for a silver medal. Even his opponent admitted that Jones won their fight, leading the AIBA to later suspend the three judges who selected the hometown fighter as the winner.

 

 

 

How disgraceful was this decision? Jones was selected as the Val Barker Trophy winner as the best boxer of the 1988 Olympics and, due to controversy, the scoring system for Olympic boxing was changed, replacing the 20-point must system with electronic scoring.

 

 

 

“I was angered,” Jones admitted, “yet promoted to prove that I was the best fighter there, and in the world, at that time.”

 

 

 

Jones made his professional debut May 6, 1989, at home in Pensacola, Florida, in a scheduled eight-round bout, in which RJJ stopped Ricky Randall nyob rau hauv lub thib ob puag ncig. His long, glorious journey has produced a remarkable 66-9 (47 Kos) pro record, highlighted by nine major world titles in four different weight classes.

 

 

 

Nyob rau hauv 2003, Jones defeated John Ruiz by way of a 12-round unanimous decision to become the first former world middleweight champion to become world heavyweight title holder in more than a century.

 

 

 

The possessor of exceptional hand and foot speed, athleticism, movement and reflexes, Jones went undefeated through his first 34 pro sib ntaus, 22-3 (14) nyob rau hauv lub ntiaj teb no title fights. Against former, present or future world champions, Jones was 19-9 (8 Kos) and included among his victims were greats such as Bernard Hopkins, James Toney, Mike McCallum,Vinnie Pazienza, Virgil Hill, Antonio Tarver thiab Felix Trinidad.

 

 

 

Hnub no, the 49-year-old Jones, technically speaking, is still an active fighter. He also has two promotional companies and gyms, located in Pensacola and Las Vegas, trains several pro boxers and serves as a color commentator for HBO Boxing. He recently opened gyms in South Africa.

 

 

 

For the past two years, Jones has hosted the “Future Stars of Boxing Tournament” nyob rau hauv Las Vegas, showcasing some of the best amateur boxers in the world.

 

 

 

“Hosting the tournament in Las Vegas gives me the opportunity to give back to amateur boxing,” Jones explained. “It’s a great experience for the boxers and it reminds them that who they may have or still look up to, are watching them as well.”

 

 

 

Roy Jones, Jr. with one of the many amateur boxers who participated in this year’s “Future Stars of Boxing” tournament in Las Vegas (photo courtesy of RJJ Boxing Promotions)

 

 

 

“When USA Boxing alumni discuss their favorite fighters,” hais tias Chris Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Association Executive Director, “Roy Jones is near the top of everyone’s list. His spectacular talent, dedication to his craft, and infectious personality make him a no-brainer to headline this year’s Hall of Fame class. He continues to give back to amateur boxing and support the next generation. Roy deserves to be celebrated for all he has accomplished, and we look forward to honoring him in December.”

 

 

 

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations 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, nyob rau hauv thiab tawm ntawm lub nplhaib.

 

 

 

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 host by the Alumni Association, including the 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.

 

 

Quotes of Note from other World Champions

 

George Foreman: “(Jones) hits like a heavyweight and moved like a lightweight.”

 

Montell Griffin: “Floyd (Mayweather, Jr.) was no comparison as far as speed. Roy was much faster.”

 

Mike McCallum: “(Jones is) the greatest fighter of all time.”

 

 

 

 

If he ever hangs-up his gloves for good, Roy Jones, Jr. will be a first ballot inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. There may never be another boxer quite like RJJ.

 

NTAUB NTAWV:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing, USABoxingAlumni

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

 

HAIS TXOG 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 oversee and govern every aspect of amateur boxing in the United States.

 

pib xyaum ua boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

Garcia and Stevens Close Out 2018 Youth World Championships with Wins

Cia ib saib
Team USA leaving Budapest with 4 medals

BUDAPEST, Hungary (Lub yim hli ntuj 31, 2018) — The final day of the 2018 Youth World Championships in Budapest, Hungary was another golden day for Team USA, as both Heaven Garcia (El Monte, California.) thiab Asa Stevens (Waianae, Hawaii) won the female and male flyweight titles..

 

 

 

Stevens began the final day of boxing in the first bout against 2018 European Champion Ivan Price of England. Leading up to this showdown, Stevens and the USA Boxing coaching staff worked on a plan that would result in victory.

 

 

 

“The past three days we were creating a game plan of keeping distance and doing a lot of faints,” said Stevens after his gold medal performance. “I feel like we utilized it very well and that is how I got the win.”

 

 

 

The flyweight boxed a total of five times through the 11-day tournament, which included a split decision win over Patrick Clancy (Ireland), unanimous decision wins over Ibrahim Boukedim (Fabkis) and Samandar Kholmurodov (Uzbekistan), as well as a split decision win over Bhavesh Kattimani (Is Nrias teb) nyob rau hauv lub semifinals. His unanimous decision victory today over Price earned him his first World Championship title and the first youth flyweight title since Shakur Stevenson in 2014.

 

 

 

“This means a lot, no words can really explain how I feel,” stated Stevens. “This is the best feeling in the world.”

 

 

 

Garcia picked up her second World Championships title to add to her 2015 Junior World Championship title with her 4-1 split decision victory over India’s Anamika.

 

 

 

“My game plan was to use my jab and use that as a key,” said Garcia. “I wanted to also work in the body shots and wear her down with those and plenty of combinations.”

 

 

 

Like her teammate, Garcia boxed a total of five days in a grueling bracket that included three bouts in a row. Her victories included a split decision over Hatice Akbas (Turkey) nyob rau hauv lub qhib puag ncig, unanimous decision wins over Rinka Kinoshita (Nyiv) and Simran Kaur (Hais), as well as her rematch with Zhanssaya Abdaimova (Kazakhstan) by split decision in the semifinals.

 

 

 

Garcia’s win today adds her to a list of female American boxers that have won multiple amateur world titles that includes JaJaira Gonzalez and Claressa Shields. Garcia is the first American to win both a junior and youth world title since Gonzalez did so in 2013 thiab 2014/2015. Garcia will also look to join Gonzalez in the record books with a win at this October’s Youth Olympics.

 

 

 

“This win feels great because it was harder than my first title in 2015,” continued Garcia. “Everyone is older and more experienced at this level, and I worked very hard to get to the top spot.”

 

 

 

Following the conclusion of the tournament, Augie Sanchez (Las Vegas, Nev.), Team USA’s Head National Junior and Youth Coach, was awarded Best Coach of the Tournament honors, thaum lub sij hawm Isamary Aquino (Universal City, Texas) was awarded her bronze medal during the medal ceremonies.

 

 

 

“I am very happy with the team,” said Sanchez at the end of the competition. “It was the whole staff that made this happen, and I am happy how our team performed overall.”

 

 

 

Team USA will begin their return home tomorrow with a total of three gold medals and one bronze after ten intense days of boxing. This year’s tournament brought over 350 boxers los ntawm tshaj 50 countries from around the World. Joining Sanchez in the boxers corners throughout the tournament were assistant coaches Timothy Back (Cincinnati, Ohio), Eliza Olson (Redwood, California.) thiab Rosario Solis (Irving, Texas).

 

 

 

Team USA Results

51 kg: Heaven Garcia, El Monte, Calif./USA, txim. over Anamika/IND, 4-1

52 kg: Asa Stevens, Waianae, Hawaii/USA, txim. over Ivan Price/ENG, 5-0

 

NTAUB NTAWV:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

pib xyaum ua boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

Team USA Advances 3 to Youth World Championships Finals

Cia ib saib
Isamary Aqunio Wins Bronze

BUDAPEST, Hungary (Lub yim hli ntuj 28, 2018) – On the eighth day of competition at the 2018 Youth World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Team USA advanced three boxers to the championship bouts, thaum lub sij hawm Isamary Aquino(Universal City, Texas) picked up her second Youth World Championships bronze medal.

 

 

 

Flyweight Asa Stevens (Waianea, Hawaii) started the Americans off on a winning note with a 3-2 win over Bhavesh Kattimani of India to advance to the championship bout. Stevens will be looking to become the first flyweight Youth World Champion for Team USA since Shakur Stevenson won in 2014 when he steps into the ring on Friday against England’s Ivan Price, lub 2018 European Champion.

 

 

 

2015 Junior World Champion Heaven Garcia (El Monte, California.) revenged her quarterfinal loss to Kazakhstan’s Zhansaya Abdraimova at last year’s Youth World Championships by taking the rematch with a 3-2 kev txiav txim siab. Garcia will join Stevens on the second day of finals, as she will face Anamika Urang of India, lub 2018 Asian Confederation silver medalist.

 

 

 

The third American to advance to the finals, Iyana Verduzco (Los Angeles, California.), continued her impressive World Championships debut with a 4-1 victory over Aycan Guldgai of Turkey. Verduzco will be the first member of Team USA to box in the finals, as she will take on Aizada Yeslyamgali, lub 2018 Asian Confederation silver medalist, rau hnub Thursday.

 

 

 

Aqunio, the final member of Team USA to box in the semifinals, fell short of advancing to the championship bouts against Sakshi of India. This marks Aquino’s second Youth World Championships bronze medal after taking home the bronze at last year’s Youth World Championships.

 

 

 

Team USA will leave these World Championships with four medals total and have been under the leadership of National Junior and Youth Coach Augie Sanchez(Las Vegas, Nev.) throughout this tournament, nrog Timothy Back (Cincinnati, Ohio), Eliza Olson (Redwood, California.) thiab Rosario Solis (Irving, Texas) serving as assistant coaches.

 

 

 

You can follow all of the action from the championship bouts by txhaj ntawm no.

 

 

 

Team USA Results

51 kg: Heaven Garcia, El Monte, Calif./USA, txim. over Zhanssaya Abdaimova/KAZ, 3-2

 

 

52 kg: Asa Stevens, Waianea, Hawaii/USA, txim. over Bhavesh Kattimani/IND, 3-2

 

 

54 kg: Iyana Verduzco, Los Angeles, Calif./USA, txim. over Aycan Guldagi/TUR, 4-1

 

 

57 kg: Sakshi/IND, txim. tshaj Isamary Aquino, Universal City, Texas/USA, 5-0

NTAUB NTAWV:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

boxing, USA Boxing

USA Boxing Alumni Association Profile: Dr. Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure

Cia ib saib
1960 OLYMPIC GOLD: (L-R) Wilbert McClure, Cassius Clay and Eddie Crook, Jr.

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Ncej puab. (Lub yim hli ntuj 20, 2018) – One of the classiest boxers to ever lace-up a pair of gloves is Dr. Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure, who is the only American boxer to capture an Olympic gold-medal and also earn a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D).

 

 

 

“When I think of ‘Skeeter’ McClure,” USA Boxing president John Brown hais tias, “I think of the grassroots of our sport. When ‘Skeeter’ was a young boy growing up in Toledo, Ohio, he had a twinkle in his eye and a desire to box. We would learn later in life how talented, gifted and passionate ‘Skeeter’ McClure was about the sport of boxing.

 

 

 

“It would be impossible for me, somebody who has spent his entire life in boxing, to find a better representative of our sport than ‘Skeeter’ McClure.”

 

 

 

Nicknamed “Skeeter” because his father thought he looked no bigger than a mosquito at birth, McClure was born October 29, 1938 in Toledo, Ohio, and he developed into the perfect example of brains and brawn.

 

 

 

The now 79-year-old McClure earned degrees in literature and philosophy in 1961 from the University of Toledo and a doctorate in psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit. He was a professor at Northeastern University and late became a Massachusetts state boxing commissioner. Nyob rau hauv 2012, he was honored for his life’s work by the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice at Harvard Law School.

 

 

 

McClure had an incredible boxing career, highlighted by his gold-medal performance at the 1960 Olympic ua si, defeating his Italian opponent in Rome, Carmelo Bossi, to capture the light middleweight gold medal, despite fighting with a severely damaged hand suffered in the semifinals. The two other American gold medalists that year was his roommate and team co-captain, Cassius av nplaum (aka Muhammad Ali) and Eddie Crook, Jr.

 

 

 

During his illustrious amateur career, McClure was dominant in 1959-1960, winning gold medals at the 1959 Pan-American Games, two-time National AAU tournaments, 1958 International Diamond Belt. He was also named Outstanding U.S. Amateur Boxer in 1959.

 

Al Valenti, Special Projects Consultant for USA Boxing, has known McClure as long as anybody alive, “I had the pleasure of meeting ‘Skeeter’ McClure in the late eighties,” Valenti noted, “and since the day I met him I’ve held him in the highest esteem. I cannot find another boxer who has achieved what ‘Skeeter’ has during his life in boxing. He was a talented amateur boxer who won at every level and, beyond that, he served in the U.S. Pab tub rog, earned a Ph.D in psychology, and he also had a long career as a college professor. One thing that stands out among his accomplishments is that he’s the kindest, most sincere gentlemen I’ve ever met.

 

 

 

“During his tenure on the Massachusetts Boxing Commission, he fully understood the sport and what was needed. As a promoter, I was never busier than when he oversaw boxing in Massachusetts. One of the highlights of my life is when I introduced ‘Skeeter’ to crowds at our events, after listening to his lists of accomplishments, how the crowd always gave him a standing ovation.

 

 

 

“Dr. Wilbert ‘Skeeter” McClure is a true champion and a class act. No American boxer will ever accomplish what he did.”

 

 

 

“I first met Wilbert at the 1964 National AAU Championships,” 1972 Olympic bronze medalist Jesse Valdez commented. “I had just turned 16. I had won the National Golden Gloves for the first time and went to the National AAU and got beaten by Quincy Daniels, who had won a bronze medalist at the 1960 Olympics with Wilbert. I said hello but really didn’t know Wilbert. I was young, shy and kept to myself. I didn’t realize he was an Olympic gold medal winner until later, while taking with the other guys. I was really impressed by his background.

 

 

 

“Wilbert is somebody kids today need to look up to. He’s a great example for kids coming up and dreaming about winning an Olympic gold medal. And Wilbert went on to get an education. He’s a great example for kids today in the program (USA Boxing).”

 

 

 

Legendary amateur boxing coach Roosevelt Sanders, who last year was inducted into the first class of the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame, lost to McClure in the 1960 USA Olympic Trials.

 

 

 

“Nws (McClure) has always been nice to me,” Sanders added. “I didn’t know him, tus kheej, but met him, fought him, and saw him fight on television. He’s a smart guy, always a gentleman, and being a U.S. Tubrog nkoj, we were taught to absorb that.”

 

 

 

Nyob rau hauv 1961, McClure turned pro and he was billed as the next Qab Zib Ray Robinson, largely due their similar boxing style. No endorsements, tab sis yog, and the odds were really stacked against McClure reaching the same heights as a pro that he had attained as an amateur. During the early part of his professional career, McClure served in the U.S. Pab tub rog, attended college and was married with a baby. After only 14 pro sib ntaus, the mismanaged McClure was rushed into difficult matches against the likes of future world champions and Hall of Famers Luis Rodriguez (ob zaug) thiab Jose Torres, plus No. 1 contender Ruben “Nag xob nag cua” Carter (ob zaug), los ntawm 1963 rau 1966. McClure was on the losing end of four of those five fights, all by decisions, but he did fight Carter to a draw.

 

 

 

McClure retired from the ring in 1970 nrog ib tug 24-9 (12 Kos) kev cov ntaub ntawv. He eventually resettled in the Boston suburb of Chestnut Hill, where he taught at Northeastern University and later was a consultant to industry and government, teaching administrators how to deal with people.

 

 

 

1960 USA Olympic Boxing Team – Wilbert McClure is standing, third from the right, in front of Cassius Clay

 

USA Boxing Alumni Association

 

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations 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, nyob rau hauv thiab tawm ntawm lub nplhaib.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

An eloquent speaker who was equally comfortable with corporate executives and boxing fans alike, McClure remained close friends with Ali, Carter and so many others he befriended in boxing. Hnub no, he is in ill health but still receives unparalleled respect from all those he’s touched in and out of the ring and classroom.

 

 

 

Simply said, Dr. Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure is another outstanding USA Boxing product, as well as class personified.

 

NTAUB NTAWV:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing, @USABoxingAlumni

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

boxing, USA Boxing

USA Boxing Alumni Association announces Hall of Fame Class of 2018

Cia ib saib
Roy Jones, Jr., Lwm Ward, Claressa Shields,
Emanuel Steward & Tom Cleary
Dec. 7 reception in Salt Lake City, Utah

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Ncej puab. (Lub yim hli ntuj 6, 2018) – The USA Boxing Alumni Association has announced its second class to be inducted into its Hall of Fame, Kaum Ob Hlis Ntuj 7, at the Radisson Hotel (215 S. Temple St.) in Salk Lake City, Utah.

 

 

 

The reception is being held in conjunction with the 2018 USA Boxing Elite and Youth National Championships and Junior and Prep Open, Dec. 2-8, also held in Salt Lake City.

 

 

 

The Class of 2018 includes U.S. Olympic Team medalists and world (kev) champions Roy Jones, Jr., Lwm Ward thiab Claressa Shields, as well as former USA Boxing National Director of Coaching Emanuel Steward and veteran USA Boxing official Tom Cleary. The latter two will be posthumously inducted.

 

 

 

This year’s inductees were selected amongst a group of 17 nominees by the hundreds of registered USA Boxing Alumni Association members during the months of June and July.

 

 

 

“USA Boxing Alumni Association is extremely excited to honor this year’s Hall of Fame class, as each inductee represents everything good that amateur boxing has to offer,” hais tias Chris Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Association Executive Director. “Last year’s class contributed to a fantastic inaugural Hall of Fame reception and we’re looking forward to recognizing this year’s class with an even better event.”

 

 

 

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations 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, nyob rau hauv thiab tawm ntawm lub nplhaib.

 

 

 

The charter class inducted last year included Muhammad Ali thiab Evander Holyfield, in addition to veteran coaches Roosevelt Sanders thiab Tom Coulter.

 

 

 

“Each inductee has given so much to Olympic-style amateur boxing and the alumni community wants to thank them, for doing so,” Cugliari added. “We look forward to seeing USA Boxing Alumni members come out in droves to support this year’s Hall of Fame class in December.”

 

 

 

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 host by the Alumni Association, including the 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.

 

NTAUB NTAWV:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing, @USABoxingAlumni

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

boxing, USA Boxing

USA Boxing Alumni Association Profile: JASON “Loj Rau” ESTRADA

Cia ib saib

COLORADO SPRINGS, Ncej puab. (Lub Xya hli ntuj 30, 2018) – 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Loj Rau” Txoj kev fully believes that boxing saved his life, preventing him from running the streets of Providence, Rhode Island, and molding him into the man he is today.

 

 

 

“I didn’t have any money growing up and could have easily gone the other way in the streets,” Estrada explained. “A lot of my friends from back then were selling drugs are many are either dead or in jail. I knew them all, they knew me. Instead of becoming a drug dealer, I beat them up and took their money. I could have easily ended up seller drugs on a bigger scale, shot them, or gotten shot by them. I was broke, but boxing saved me!”

 

 

 

Estrada’s first amateur match was in 1987, when he was only seven years old, and he developed into one of the most dominant amateur boxers in the world between 2001-2003, in which he was a “three-peat” champion at the USA National Championships, PAL National Championships and U.S. Kev sib tw. “Loj Rau” also remains the only American boxer to capture a gold medal in the super heavyweight division of the Pan-American Games (2003), in addition to representing the U.S. nyob rau hauv lub 2004 Olympics nyob rau hauv Athens, Tim Nkij teb chaws.

 

 

 

After qualifying for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, much of the pre-Olympic Games boxing interest surrounded an expected showdown between the top two super heavyweights in the world, Estrada and Russia’s Alexander Povetin. Tu siab, Estrada was hampered by a severe case of planta faucitis, which left Jason in an air cast and unable to train other than swimming throughout the entire pre-Olympics camp. Estrada won in the opening round, but he was eliminated in the second by Cuban Michel Lopes, who Estrada had fairly easily defeated in the championship final of the 2003 Pan-American Games. Povetkin went on to capture the gold medal.

 

 

 

“I would have loved to fight him” Estrada said. “I was super sharp, hlwb, but physically I couldn’t bounce and move. I just had to deal with it. I found out that it was amazing how quickly people forget in boxing.”

 

 

 

Not only does Estrada credit his father, optometrist Dr. Roland Estrada, for helping to keep him on the straight and narrow, he also taught him to box. “My father didn’t have any boxing experience when we started,” Jason noted. “We went from gym to gym, sparring guys, and picking up things from other coaches. I appreciated my father so much because he always knew that his style wasn’t the only style. We experienced different styles and met some great coaches. Two of my favorite coaches are Barry Hunter (Lub tuam thawj zos hauv teb chaws Mes Kas) thiab Mike Stafford (Cincinnati). I’m cool with fighters I met in the amateurs like Andre Dirrell. The guy I’m closest with is George Garcia, who I fought and beat nine times. He’s one of my coolest friends, tab sis yog. His son is a good prospect coming up, but he’s the opposite of his father, who was short and stocky. His son is a tall, lanky boxer.”

 

 

 

USA Boxing Alumni Association

 

 

 

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations 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, nyob rau hauv thiab tawm ntawm lub nplhaib.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Estrada fought professionally for more than a decade, compiling ib tug 20-6 (6 Kos) cov ntaub ntawv, as an unusually quick-handed, slick-moving heavyweight. Hnub no, Estrada and his father own and operate Big Six Academy in Providence, coaching amateur and pro boxers.

 

 

 

“Boxing is like a marriage,” commented Estrada, who retired from the ring 3 ½ years ago. “Kuv hlub nws, but we’re not together anymore. We’re still good friends. I still love boxing as a friend. I get my boxing fix by coaching, it’s still a part of my life. I spar with some of the fighters. I can do what I want for four rounds. There’s no challenge, no pressure. I could still fight, if not for the rigorous training. Physical problems I had when I fought – rov qab, knee and feet – no longer hurt.

 

 

 

“My dad understands the knowledge I have – he never fought – and a lot of times in the gym we’ll say to each other, ‘I was just thinking that.’ He has no experience (fighting in the ring) thiab tam sim no, he lets me handle all the pads work. He’s putting more and more on me, work wise, but he closely watches us and takes care of the business end.

 

 

 

“I really enjoy helping our fighters prepare for media interviews. I’m thankful to USA Boxing for that, because we were trained to be in the right state of mind for interviews.”

 

 

 

Estrada had an opportunity to travel the world as a member of USA Boxing’s elite teams, boxing in Cuba, Dominican Republic Kazakhstan, Ireland (3 lub sij hawm), Germany and Brazil.

 

 

 

Now giving back to young boxers what he learned in USA Boxing ranks, the 37-year-old Estrada has one boxing goal left on his wish list.

 

 

 

“I’d love to work with somebody who becomes world champion and makes money to support their family,” Estrada concluded, “but more than anything, I’d love to work with a boxer who becomes a U.S. Olympian because I was a U.S. Olympian.”

 

 

 

And nobody can ever take that away from Jason “Loj Rau” Txoj kev, one of America’s most decorated amateur boxers of all-time, and a proud USA Boxing Alumni Association member.

 

NTAUB NTAWV:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing, @USABoxingAlumni

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

pib xyaum ua boxing, USA Boxing

Team USA’s newest boxing star Light heavyweight Khalil Coe

Cia ib saib

(L-R) – USA head coach Billy Walsh, USA National assistant coach Kay Koroma, Khalil Coe and coach Jeff Mays

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (Lub Xya hli ntuj 9, 2018) – A star was born last month at the 45th Chemistry Cup in Halle, Lub teb chaws yelemees, when American light heavyweight Khalil Coe shocked the amateur boxing world, stopping Cuban’s multiple world champion Julio Cesar La Cruz in the opening round of the championship final match.

 

 

 

Ze li ntawm 100 boxers represented 16 different countries at the Chemistry Cup, kuj muaj, Russia, Ukraine, Ireland, India and host Germany, in addition to the United States and Cuba.

 

 

 

The 21-year-old Coe, who was boxing in only his 25th match, his first on the International scene, stole the show and he was named Most Outstanding Boxer of the tournament. In the semifinals, Coe knocked out Matus Strnisko, of Slovakia, nyob rau hauv thawj puag ncig.

 

VOTE FOR KHALIL COE

 

Khalil Coe is a candidate for the USOC Best Male Athlete of the Month for June. Voting ends this evening at https://awards.teamusa.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coe respected but he wasn’t intimidated by his much more experienced opponent, 2016 Olympic gold medalist and four-time world champion La Cruz, who had one less fight in the World Boxing Series than Cue did during his entire amateur career.

 

 

 

“My first fight in the tournament was the hardest I’d had,” Coe explained. “I studied him (La Cruz) a lot and watched him fight in the semifinals (defeating three-time European champion Joseph Ward (Ireland), which was right after my semifinals fight. Nws (La Cruz) is very elusive and flashy, but he doesn’t like to get hit in the body. He moves his body, but he forgets about his head. I pulled him, on him, moving around with my footwork and shuffling. He threw a lazy jab and I hit him right on the chin with a right.”

 

 

 

Coe’s short, compact right-hand punch landed right on the button, dropping La Cruz a little less than two-minutes into round one. The Cuban beat the count, but the referee ruled that he was unable to continue. La Cruz was still “Cov txiv neej” in the light heavyweight division and by knocking him out, Coe proved that he truly belongs with the elite, and that the No. 1-rated American is the fighter to beat in terms of qualifying for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team.

 

 

 

“I let everybody know that I’m here,” Coe added. “I still need to work on a lot of different things. I need to throw more combinations, keep by stamina up, and improve everything to be better. I’m more of a pure boxer, but I have strength and punching power. Coach (Billy)Walsh doesn’t change his fighters, he adds to what they have. The coaches put together a fight plan and I executed it.”

 

 

 

“Khalil’s performances in Germany were world class,” Team USA head coach Walsh said, “To be truly world class, we now have to repeat those performances regularly, and that’s where the challenge lies.”

 

 

 

On this year’s USA vs. Ireland Northeast Tour, Coe was 2-0 against his Irish counterparts in Boston and Springfield

 

 

 

Coe often got into fights in school, until his mother sent him to a local gym, and his first amateur bout was when he was 12. If he wasn’t boxing right now, the 6′ 1″ Coe believes he would probably be playing college football, as a fullback or defensive end.

 

 

 

Close with his USA teammates, particularly Keyshawn Davis, Coe lives and trains with them in Colorado Springs. “We’re more than a team,” the Jersey City, New Jersey boxer concluded, “we’re like a family – hais mav, gals and coaches — in Colorado Springs.

 

 

 

“I’m going to turn pro after the Olympics, one way or the other, God-willing, after I win a gold medal.”

 

 

 

Tokyo is legitimately in Khalil Coe’s sights!

 

NTAUB NTAWV:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

 

boxing, USA Boxing

Mohegan Sun & Star Boxing supporting USA Boxing Alumni Association this Saturday

Cia ib saib

COLORADO SPRINGS, Ncej puab. (Lub rau hli ntuj 25, 2018) – USA Boxing’s “Alumni Association Membership Drive Month” concludes this Saturday with another gathering as Mohegan Sun and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing support the first-year group’s efforts to connect USA Boxing’s alumni.

 

 

 

USA Boxing Alumni Association (USABAA) is asking present members from New England and New York to bring a guest to register as new member ($40.00 registration). Both the current and new members will receive complimentary tickets, thaum lub 40 donated tickets last, to that evening’s “Slugfest at The Sun” pro boxing card, presented at Mohegan Sun Arena by Star Boxing.

 

 

 

Headliner Joe “Lub Beast” Smith, Jr. (23-2, 19 Kos) is a former amateur standout from Long Island, NY, who is the No. 3 thiab tsis. 7-ranked light heavyweight in the world, feem, by the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association.

 

 

 

All USABAA members are invited to attend a gathering prior to the fights at Bow & Arrow Sports Bar at Mohegan Sun, ntawm 5 rau 6:30 p.m. THIAB, to enjoy food, conversation and reunite to friends in boxing.

 

 

 

“USA Boxing Alumni Association wants to thank Joe DeGuardia, Star Boxing, and Mohegan Sun for supporting our mission,” said Christopher Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Association Executive Director. “As part of our June membership drive, we look forward to connecting with current and new members of the Alumni Association this Saturday night for a great evening of camaraderie and competition. We also want to thank our members for the support they’ve provided throughout this month-long membership drive and ask for this continued support from our New England and New York members this weekend. You won’t want to miss it!”

 

 

USA Boxing Alumni Association

 

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations 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, nyob rau hauv thiab tawm ntawm lub nplhaib.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

NTAUB NTAWV:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing, @USABoxingAlumni

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

 

HAIS TXOG 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 oversee and govern every aspect of amateur boxing in the United States.

pib xyaum ua boxing, boxing, USA Boxing, poj niam lub boxing

USA Boxing Announces Four Boxers to Compete at Summer Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018

Cia ib saib
Boxing at Youth Olympics set to begin Oct. 14

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Ncej puab. (Lub rau hli ntuj 2, 2018 – USA Boxing announced today the four boxers who were nominated to represent the United States at the Summer Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018, pending approval by the United States Olympic Committee. The Youth Olympic Games will be held Oct. 6-8, with the boxing competition to take place Oct. 14-18 nyob rau hauv Argentina.

 

 

 

Following the 2017 Women’s Youth World Championships and 2018 Cov Hluas Kev Sib Nrauj Kev Sib Tw, two men and two women have been nominated for the prestigious competition. The team will be comprised of Heaven Garcia (El Monte, California.), Otha Jones III (Toledo, Ohio), Roma Martinez (Neeg txo hwj chim, Texas) thiab Harley Mederos (New York, N.Y.).

 

 

 

“We’ve got a great group of young talent representing Team USA at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires,” said USA Boxing High Performance Director Matt Johnson on the nominated boxers. “Each one has good international experience, having participated in a junior or youth world championships over the past few years. That experience will be key as they face some of the world’s best up and coming boxers this October.”

 

 

 

Garcia has been on the international scene since her impressive World Championships debut in 2015, where she became the Junior World Champion. The bantamweight represented Team USA at the 2017 Youth World Championships in Guwahati, India before clinching her spot to Argentina with her winning performance at the 2018 Youth Continental Championships this May. She is a two-time USA Boxing Youth National Champion, and currently has a record of 53-7.

 

 

 

Garcia described being able to represent the United States at the Youth Olympics as “amazing.” “Knowing that only four boxers are nominated, and I was one of them is a very huge accomplishment for me,” she stated.

 

 

 

“Being able to represent my country at the Youth Olympics is something I have worked hard for and now that I get the opportunity, I will be sure to work even harder to bring home that gold medal.”

 

 

 

Light welterweight Jones III solidified his position on Team USA by winning gold at the 2018 Cov Hluas Kev Sib Nrauj Kev Sib Tw. Jones III will be looking to add his third international medal in 2018 at these Games, after his silver medal performance earlier this year at the Emil Jechev Memorial Tournament in Bulgaria. Jones, who has a record of 267-11, is also the 2017 USA Boxing Youth National Champion, as well as a member of the 2015 Junior World Championships team.

 

 

 

“Not only is it an honor to represent Team USA in a huge tournament such as the Youth Olympics, I am pleased to represent my family as well,” stated Jones III.

 

 

 

“I grew up in the boxing gym. My family owns a gym, Soul City Gym, and all my brothers and sisters were brought up in the gym to show kids a better way to live than violence and making it this far will help me show that even more.”

 

 

 

Martinez was the sole American to qualify from the 2017 Women’s Youth World Championships last November. The featherweight was the 2016 USA Boxing Youth National Champion and 2017 USA Boxing Youth National Championship silver medalist. The Youth Olympic Games will be Martinez’s first international tournament of 2018, where she will be looking for her first international medal.

 

 

 

“When I received the notification that I was nominated for the Youth Olympic Games, I felt resurrected,” hais tias Martinez. “I have experienced a few devastating life losses in the past six months, and was feeling confused about my future in the sport,” she explained.

 

 

 

“Txawm li cas los, when I was contacted about this amazing opportunity, my vision became clear, my mind focused and my heart determined to take this opportunity not only for myself, but for every person who hoped and dreamed for a chance like this. I plan to take on this journey to Argentina with me; my faith, my boxing skills and a quote from my late teammate: ‘a boxers favorite scripture – it is better to give than to receive.”

 

 

 

Mederos is the final member of Team USA to be nominated for the Youth Olympic Games. The lightweight won bronze at the 2015 Junior World Championships prior to his transition to the youth division. Mederos is the 2017 Youth National Champion and earned his place to Buenos Aires following his impressive gold medal winning performance at the 2018 Cov Hluas Kev Sib Nrauj Kev Sib Tw.

 

 

 

“It feels amazing to be able to go to Argentina and represent my country in what I love to do most and get the chance to showcase my talent in front of everyone,” stated Mederos.

 

 

 

“I can guarantee you, the best Harley you’ve ever seen, both physically and mentally, will go out there and do the best that I can do and make everyone proud.”

 

 

 

All four boxers will return to Colorado Springs in July to begin training for the Youth Olympics. Garcia, Jones and Mederos will use the 2018 Youth World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in August as a tuneup leading to the event before heading to Argentina in late September.

NTAUB NTAWV:

 

 

www.usaboxing.org

 

 

Twitter: @USABoxing

 

 

Instagram: @USABoxing

 

 

Facebook: /USABoxing

boxing, USA Boxing

Hall of Fame referee Steve Smoger successfully transitioned from amateur to pro boxing

Cia ib saib

 

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Ncej puab. (Lub rau hli ntuj 13, 2018) — Hall of Fame referee Steve “Double S” Smoger, arguably the most recognizable and respected official in boxing history, holds the unique distinction of officiating in more states and countries than any of his peers.

 

 

 

Smoger ranks among the top six all-time, Ua Tsis. 2 American, in terms of most pro boxing matches officiated (1015), including an incredible 220 world time matches. He has been a referee in some of the greatest boxing matches ever – Vernon Forrest-Shane Mosley, Bernard Forrest-Felix Trinidad, Kelly Pavlik-Jermain Taylor, Roy Jones, Jr.-Hopkins, Micky Ward-Emanuel Burton, Andre Ward-Carl Froch and Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito II among the most notable.

 

 

 

Tsis tas li ntawd, Smoger has refereed matches featuring a Who’s Who of Boxing: Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Larry Holmes, Evander Holyfield. Roberto Duran, Hector Camacho Sr., James Toney, Mike McCallum, Vinny Paz, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Arturo Gatti, Felix Trinidad, Diego Corrales, Gennady Golovkin, Lucia Rijker, Christy Martin and so many others..

 

 

 

In addition to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Smoger has also been inducted into four other Hall of Fames in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Atlantic City.

 

 

 

As a youngster, Smoger got hooked on boxing, primarily because his father was an “awesome fan”, who religiously watched the popular Friday night boxing series, Gillette Cavalcade of Sports, with his son. Steve’s father told him that boxing was the last version of will and skill, one-on-one, to determine the better man that night.

 

 

 

Smoger said he was too small to play football, too short for basketball, so he became a cross-country runner in high school. A friend invited Smoger to the local YMCA in New Jersey to get checkout its boxing program. Only one day working with a pro boxer was enough for Steve to realize that being a boxer wasn’t for him. But he still loved boxing.

 

 

 

After he started refereeing amateur matches in southern New Jersey and Delaware, Smoger got the break of his life that dramatically changed his life. “Everything in life is timing,” Smoger explained. “The gentleman who gave George Foreman the small American that he proudly waved after winning a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics, Pat Duffy, opened a gym in southern Jersey. I told him that I wanted to train as a referee. I trained under the great Frank Cappuccino and then had to honor to train with Zach Clayton. He trained to music so referees moved without being herky-jerky. Nyob rau hauv 1978, I started officiating then-AAU boxing and worked out of the Atlantic City PAL gym, which remains a vibrant amateur boxing club. I’m still there 40 years later, serving on its Board of Directors, and I’m also its legal counsel.

 

 

 

“Ces, the boxing gods shined on me. Casinos were coming to Atlantic City in 1978 and boxing was involved at all the casinos there. I was the district attorney in Atlantic City, so after work I went to the PAL gym to workout with the kids. Muaj ib hnub, the phone rang in the gym. Nobody else was there, so I answered. It was the New Jersey Boxing Commissioner, ‘Jersey’ Joe Walcott, who asked me who was in charge. I said that, nyob rau ntawm lub sij hawm, I was in charge. He said there was a pro show that night and they were short of inspectors. He said that they need somebody to watch the hand wrapping. I told him I was well versed in hand wrapping and that was it, I was hired to work that show and they gave me the royal treatment.”

 

 

 

“Walcott’s chief second was Chief Roy Johnson, who Walcott brought into the state commission. He hired me in 1982 as a probationary referee. Ob xyoos tom qab, I was a licensed referee and, raws li lawv hais, the rest is history.”

 

 

 

Hnub no, Smoger is still a very active referee, traveling around the world to officiate, as well as co-chairman of the International Boxing Association (IBA) officials, and a valued USA Boxing Alumni Association advisor. Steve has made several appearances at Alumni Association gatherings across the country.

 

 

 

“I am honored to be the ‘unofficial’ representative of all officials who’ve made the transition from amateur to pro boxing,” Smoger commented. “I’m the only active referee (Alumni Association advisor) who made the transition from the amateur to the pro level.

 

 

 

“The accent has always been No. 1, on boxers, thiab tsis. 2, coaches. USA Boxing is the best group I’ve ever been associated with and, for me personally, I’ve seen what amateur boxing does for kids in this country. They learn under difficult circumstances, through boxing, to successfully reach different levels in life. I enjoy watching the development of youths who go through the USA Boxing program and do very well.

 

 

 

“Boxing enables boxers. My accent is on youths, to watch them grow and develop, not turn pro, to better their lives.”

 

NTAUB NTAWV:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing