Syracuse’s Amir Anderson Goes from underdog to top dog

2020 USA National Boxing Championships 

Mar. 25-Apr. 4, in Shreveport, Louisiana 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 8, 2021) – In the 2019 USA National Boxing Championships, Amir Anderson was a relatively unknown competitor from Syracuse (N.Y.), but this year he believes he’s one of the “top dogs” in the 165-pound decision. 

Anderson will be competing in the youth division at the 2020 USA Boxing National Championships, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic from last December to March 25 April 3, in Shreveport, La. 

Anderson’s goal at these championships is simple: he wants to win to lock down a slot on the USA Boxing Youth Team, which will give him a leg up in terms of qualifying for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. 

“The winner in each weight class qualifies for the USA Boxing Youth Team,” he explained.  “Runner-ups are alternates and can make the team if the winner can’t for whatever reason. I want to win! 

“Last time I had nothing to lose at Nationals. Now, I have everything to lose. I do my research and breakdown other fighters in my weight class.  I’ll be more focused this time because I was an underdog then and now, I’m the top dog in my division.” 

The 17-year-old Anderson has already tasted success, capturing top honors at the 2019 Junior Open and 2019 Eastern Regional Open, in addition to finishing in the runner-up position at the 2018 & 2019 National Junior Olympics. 

Still a high school senior, Amir describes himself as an all-around boxer with a unique style in which he can box or bang, hit the angles and throw a lot of punches. 

Like every amateur boxer, last year was a tremendous challenge to train, due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.  “I trained six hours a day in my basement to get in really good workouts,” Anderson said. “And I ran my miles, too. When my gym opened-up last July 2nd, it was limited so I had to still workout in my basement. It was hard to stay focused, but I knew how. 

“I really planned to win a lot of regional and national tournaments to get national recognition. I wanted to fight in Bulgaria with the junior team, but that was canceled, too. The pandemic was a setback for me, but we’ll see what’s in store for 2021.” 

The National Championships is the first trip towards Amir Anderson’s Parisian goal for 2024 at the Olympics. 

INFORMATION: 

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

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