Tag Archives: Olympic Boxing

boxing, USA Boxing

USA Boxing standout bantamweight Duke Ragan fighting for his daughter’s future

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 29, 2019) – Boxers fight for a variety of reasons. Team USA bantamweight Duke Ragan is driven in the gym and ring by his two-year-old daughter, Kennedy Ragan.

 
The 21-year-old Ragan trains with his fellow elite squad members in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which is a long way from his home and daughter in Cincinnati.
 
“It is difficult being away from her,” Ragan admitted, “but she motivates me. I’m boxing for our future.”
 
Ragan’s future in boxing is bright. He is the No. 1 bantamweight in the United States, who plans to cash-out after the 2020 Olympics in Japan.
 
Although he had his first amateur match when he was seven, Ragan was practically born to box, evident by pictures of him as an infant wearing baby boxing gloves. His father and coach, Derek “Duke” Ragan, who named his son with his own nickname, had a lot of friends who were boxers. When Duke’s older brother by six years, Lewis Walker, trained at their uncle Sean Singleton‘s gym, young Duke was being trained in the house by his father.
 
“I played other sports when I was young, but I didn’t in high school,” Ragan said. “My father started training me when I was six and a year later, I was at the gym training and sparring. I didn’t want to play any sports other than boxing.”
 
Ragan has a 151-19 amateur record, highlighted by his silver-medal performance at the 2017 World Championships. He captured gold at the 2016 & 2018 Elite National Championships, qualifying him for the 2020 Olympic Trials for Boxing, as well as at the 2016 National Golden Gloves Championships.
 

In addition to winning a silver medal at the 2017 World Championships, Ragan has been successful in other International competition, taking top honors at the 2017 Chemistry Cup, runner-up at the 2018 Presidents Cup, and third place finishes in the 2017 Continental Championships and 2019 Pan American Qualifier in Nicaragua. In the latter tournament, Ragan lost in the semifinals to Ecuadorian Jean Caicedo, 3-2, to qualify for the Pan-American Games, July 27 in Lima, Peru.
 
Ragan is looking forward to avenging his controversial loss to Caicedo at the Pan-American Games. “I was the No. 1 seed at the Pan American Qualifier, and I think I’ll be the No. 1 seed at the Pan American Games,” Ragan commented. “I think I got a bad decision in the semifinals. There will be some good competition at the Pan American Games, but nobody for me to worry about.”
 
Self-described as a pure boxer who enjoys moving around the ring snapping jabs, Ragan also has sufficient power to put opponents to sleep. He wants to become part of Cincinnati’s rich boxing history, which has produced all-time greats such as Aaron Pryor,Ezzard Charles, Adrian Broner, Rau’shee Warren and Tim Austin, among others.
 
“Pryor and Charles boxed in the same community where I grew up,” Ragan noted. “I really haven’t done anything yet, but it would be cool to be world champion like them.”
 
USA Boxing has played a major role in Ragan’s young life and, if he gets his wish, it’ll continue to be for at least another year or so. “My main focus is 2020, I’ll worry about turning pro after that,” he remarked. “Amateur boxing has brought me a long way. I’m more disciplined, better focused, and a much smarter boxer. I have a higher boxing IQ. I’ve also had to learn to make sacrifices, because I’ve got to be a man to make time for my young daughter. All of this is getting me ready to be a professional.
 
Ragan has traveled around the world as a Team USA boxer having been to Germany and Kazakhstan (twice apiece), Poland, Bulgaria and Nicaragua. Ultimately, Duke Ragan wants to continue representing his country and traveling all over the world, hopefully, booking a trip to Tokyo next year.
 
INFORMATION:
www.usaboxing.org
Twitter: @USABoxing, @Duke1Ragan
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
 
boxing, Ringstar Sports

Ringstar Sports Continues to Grow by Adding 2016 Mexican Olympian & Bronze Medalist Misael Rodriguez to  Growing Stable of Fighters

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LOS ANGELES (December 7, 2016) – The recently formed promotional company, Ringstar Sports, added another future world champion to its growing stable of fighters today with the announcement that 2016 Mexican Olympian and Bronze medalist Misael Rodriguez has signed with the company led by longtime boxing executive Richard Schaefer.
“I’m thrilled to be adding another promising young potential super star in Misael Rodriguez to the Ringstar lineup,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman and CEO of Ringstar Sports. “This is a young man who has overcome every obstacle thrown his way. He is mentally strong, has great skills and I expect him to have a very long, successful career. I’m looking forward to helping Misael and his family achieve their goals and I hope to make him a household name in the sport.”
“After I came back from the Olympics, I knew that it was time to start my professional career,” said Rodriguez. “I am excited to have signed with Ringstar Sports.  I have always appreciated Richard Schaefer’s approach on developing talent in to boxing stars.  When the time came, picking my promoter was easy. I knew that this is where I wanted to be.
“I look forward to showing the world the passion and heart I have for the sport I love,” continued Rodriguez. “Becoming a world champion has always been a childhood dream, and now it is my number one goal.”
The 22-year-old Rodriguez was the only Mexican fighter at the Olympics to bring home a medal as he earned his bronze by putting on a great performance in the middleweight division against Egypt’s Hosam Bakr Abdin. The path for Rodriguez was a long and arduous one before Rio as the Chihuahua-native and his teammates had to resort to “begging” on public buses and streets in Mexico to raise money to compete in international boxing tournaments.
Despite these long odds, Rodriguez won the first Olympic boxing medal for Mexico since Christian Bejerano in 2000. His impressive amateur career saw him win 104 of 126 fights and compete in numerous tournaments after joining the Mexican National Team in 2013, including a Senior National Championship.
Rodriguez picked up bronze medals in 2014 at La Romana Cup, the Independence Cup and the Panamerican Sports Festival in addition to a silver at the Veracruz Central American and Caribbean games. He continued to improve and won bronze at the American Confederation Championship and Toronto Panamerican Games in 2015. Finally, in 2016 he earned a silver medal at the American Olympic Qualifier before going to Rio and taking home the bronze medal.
Olympics

Split-T Management signs 2016 U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell to a managerial contract

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 New York (December 2, 2016) -Split T Management is pleased to announce the signing of 2016 United States Olympian, Charles Conwell to a managerial contract..

Conwell 19 years-old of Cleveland, Ohio competed as a middleweight in the Olympics but will compete in the welterweight division in the professional ranks.

“David McWater of Split T Management is known as a man who cares about his fighters, not only inside of the ring, but outside of it as well,” said Conwell.

“When I talked to a lot of people, they had a lot of nice things to say about him. When I met him and got to know him, he showed me that he cared about me not only as a boxer, but as a person, and that’s the one I want handling my career.”

“Charles is a wonderful person as well as a fighter,” said McWater. “He’s accomplished so much in his life already! How many kids win National Golden Gloves, US Nationals, Continental Elite Worlds and make honor roll in school all before they graduate high school? Close to none I would guess! He’s just an awesome young man and a tremendous talent, I’m very excited to be working for him.”

Conwell began boxing at the age of 10 when his father brought him to the gym and Charles fell in love with the sport.

Charles won a gold medal in the Americas Olympic qualifiers and took the top spot in countless United States Amateur tournaments, which included the National Junior Championships on two occasions, the National Golden Gloves Tournaments and the United Stated Olympic Trials.

“After winning my first national tournament (2012 National Junior Olympics), I felt that I could make boxing my career. I went on to become an 11-time national champion.”

For the past 2 years, Conwell has been the top-ranked middleweight in the United States.

In 2015, Conwell was named the USA Boxing Junior Male Athlete of the Year.

In the 2016 Olympics, Conwell was ousted by Krishan Vikas of India. Vikas was a 2-time Olympian, who defeated top welterweight contender Errol Spence, Jr. in the 2012 games.

“My Olympic experience did not go was planned, but I made the most of it. By fighting internationally, I got to see a lot of different styles of fighters and took some of the good qualities and added it to my style, which will help me become even a better fighter. I am a very smart boxer with fast hands and power. When people see me, they will think of Aaron Pryor, Mike Tyson and Andre Ward all rolled up into one.”

I plan to become the undisputed world welterweight champion and leave a legacy in boxing. I will be known as one of the all-time greats to come out of Ohio.”
boxing, Roc Nation, women's boxing

TWO-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST CLARESSA SHIELDS ANNOUNCES PROFESSIONAL DEBUT ON KOVALEV-WARD “POUND FOR POUND” FREEVIEW TELECAST

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

AT T-MOBILE ARENA IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

 

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (October 25, 2016) – Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist and the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Sportswoman of the Year Claressa Shields will be making her much anticipated professional debut during the lead-off freeview telecast of Kovalev-Ward “Pound For Pound” on Saturday, Nov. 19 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shields is set to face an opponent to be announced in a four-round middleweight bout, with each round timed at two-minutes. The pay-per-view telecast will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The freeview telecast which includes the live Claressa Shields bout will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT and will be available on cable, satellite, and telco channels.

 

As an amateur, Shields achieved unprecedented Olympic success as an American athlete. She is the only boxer in U.S. history, male or female, to successfully defend a title, winning back-to-back Gold medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio games. The 21-year-old Flint, Michigan native and four-time USA National Champion has merited accolades at every level of international competition, earning Gold medals in the Pan American Games, two World Championships and two-time AIBA Female Boxer of the Year honors. The pride of a nation, Shields looks to break boxing’s glass ceiling and engage a new generation of fight fans with her move into the professional ranks.

 

“After working hard for so many years and having the honor to represent my country at two Olympic games, I am thrilled to take the next big step in my career, fighting professionally and leading the rise of women’s boxing worldwide,” said Shields. “There is no better place to begin the journey than to join the biggest fight of the year, Kovalev vs Ward, and to fight alongside my idol and fellow U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward.  I can’t wait to entertain the fans onNov.19!”

 

“Claressa Shields is a uniquely talented and special young woman. At just 21 years old, she is a once-in-a-lifetime type athlete whose talent inside the ring and charisma outside of it gives her the potential to be a trailblazer for women’s boxing and for all of boxing for years to come,” said Mark Taffet and Jamie Fritz, co-managers of Claressa Shields. “We are proud to be part of Claressa Shields’s team and are thrilled she will be part of the year’s marquee event, Kovalev vs Ward, on Nov. 19 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.”

 

“Claressa Shields is about to take the boxing world by storm and we are honored to host her professional debut as part of an already loaded fight card on Nov. 19,” said Roc Nation President & Chief of Branding and Strategy Michael R. Yormark. “Claressa’s unique blend of talent, style and charisma make the two-time Olympian a rising force to be reckoned with in the boxing world and beyond.”

 

Claressa Shields is a talented 21-year-old boxer from Flint, Michigan. Inspired by former boxing star Laila Ali, Shields developed a passion for the sport and began boxing at the age of 11. It was soon after beginning her journey she realized her family was apprehensive towards the contact sports. After weeks of family discussions, Shields was granted her family’s permission to pursue her passion – a decision they will likely never regret.

 

Shields burst onto the boxing scene, developing a name for herself as one of the most talented female boxers in the country. Her reputation continued to build through her middle and high school years leading her to become the first ever U.S. women’s boxer to qualify for the 2012 London Games. To Shields, simply earning an invitation to the Olympics was not enough, she wanted to make a lasting impact for her country. After three exciting fights, Shields was rewarded her first Gold medal in the 165-pound weight class, and became the first American woman to win a Gold medal in boxing.

 

Shields was named the 2014 AIBA Female Boxer of the Year, 2014 USA Boxing National Champion, 2015 Pan American Games Gold Medalist in the light heavyweight division, and two-time World Champion in the women’s middleweight division. Chasing greatness, she became the first U.S. boxer to successfully defend an Olympic title as she earned a second Gold medal at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro. Concluding an unparalleled amateur legacy, Shields announced that she would be making her professional debut on the freeview broadcast of the year’s biggest boxing matchup, Kovalev-Ward at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 19, 2016.

 

As a proud Flint, Michigan native, Shields is constantly looking for ways to shine a positive light on her hometown. She understands the importance of being a role model to youth in her community and has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support she has received since returning from Rio with another Gold medal. Following her first Gold medal summer, Shields became the first in her family to graduate from high school and is enrolled in online college classes to pursue her academic goals and competitive aspirations simultaneously.

 

Follow Claressa Shields on Twitter @ClaressaShields, Instagram @ClaressaShields, and Facebook: www.facebook.com/claressa.shields.7

 

Kovalev vs. Ward “Pound For Pound”, a 12-round mega-fight for the WBO/IBF/WBA Light Heavyweight World Titles, takes place Saturday, Nov. 19, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

 

“Pound for Pound” is presented by Main Events, Roc Nation Sports, Krusher Promotions and Andre Ward Promotions and is sponsored by MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Rosneft and Corona Extra. Tickets are on sale now at AXS.com and the T-Mobile Arena Box Office.

 

Follow the conversation using #KovalevWard.

 

FOLLOW US:

 

 
www.kovalboxer.com @KrusherKovalev @SergeyKovalev_Official /thekrusher /kovalboxer
www.andresogward.com @AndreWard @AndreSogWard /AndreSogWard  
www.mainevents.com @Main_Events @Main_Events /MainEventsBoxiNg /MEBoxingSeries
www.throneboxing.com @RocNation @RocNation /RocNation /RocNation
www.insidehboboxing.com @HBOboxing @HBOboxing /HBOboxing /HBOsports
www.mgmgrand.com @MGMGrand @MGMGrand /MGMGrand  
www.t-mobilearena.com @TMobileArena @TMobileArena /TMobileArena  

 

boxing, Olympics

BOXING GOLD: PBC SALUTES  2016 RIO OLYMPIANS ON PREMIERBOXINGCHAMPIONS.COM

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Starting Friday Over Two Dozen PBC Fighters and Past Olympians Congratulate 2016 Team on PBC website and Social Channels; Fighters Discuss Their Olympic Experiences in New Video & Editorial Content
 
 
LAS VEGAS, NV –  August 2, 2016 – The Olympic Games hold a special meaning for the many Premier Boxing Champions series boxers who competed in past Olympiads. Representing the United States, Mexico, Haiti, Russia, Great Britain and more, it served as the highest achievement of their amateur careers before they embarked on professional championship aspirations. Starting Friday, an honored group of fighters that represented their homes as Olympians salute the members of the 2016 Olympic Teams on their achievements and wish them all the best in bringing home the gold. To view go to: www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions.
In a series of special video vignettes and articles on the Premier Boxing Champions website, previous Olympians like heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder (Bronze medal winner in 2008 Beijing Games); Rau’shee Warren, the only U.S. boxer to participate in three Olympics (2004, 2008 and 2012); and Errol Spence (2012 London Games) will offer encouragement to members of the 2016 U.S. Olympic boxing team. Warren and Spence will reminisce about their Olympic experiences together.
Gary Russell, Jr. (2008 Beijing Games) will talk about his experience in the Games and also discuss his brother, Gary Antuanne Russell, who is a member of the 2016 U.S. Team in Rio, when the Olympics kick off on Aug. 5.
Terrell Gausha (2012 London Games) will have some helpful tips for the members of the U.S. boxing team on how to maneuver through the Olympic maze and succeed in securing gold medals. Marcus Browne and Jamel Herring were also teammates with Gausha on that 2012 Olympic team.
The PBC has over two dozen Olympic boxers representing countries including Mexico (Abner Mares and Alfredo Angulo – 2004 Athens Games), Haiti (Andre Berto – 2004 Athens Games), Russia (Artur Beterbiev and Sergiy Deveryanchenko – 2008 Beijing Games), Great Britain (Amir Khan – 2004 Athens Games, James DeGale – 2008 Beijing Games), Dominican Republic(Juan Carlos Payano – 2004 Athens Games/2008 Beijing Games and Gold medalist Felix Diaz – 2008 Beijing Games), Puerto Rico (Jose Pedraza – 2008 Beijing Games), Cameroon (Sakio Bika – 2000 Sydney Games), Virgin Islands(John Jackson and Julius Jackson – 2008 Beijing Games), and Kazakhstan(Beibet Shumenov – 2004 Athens Games and Kanat Islam – 2004 Athens Games/2008 Beijing Games).
To check out the videos and articles on the PBC boxers and their Olympic experiences go to http://www.premierboxingchampions.com/
The series runs through the entire length of the games.
amateur boxing, boxing, women's boxing

Baltimore Boxing to host Olympic Qualifiers September 8-11!

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Baltimore, MD (August 20, 2015) – Jake Smith’s Baltimore Boxing Promotions in association with USA Boxing and Under Armor will host the Eastern Regional Olympic Trials Women’s Qualifiers September 8-11 at the beautiful Baltimore Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, MD.
Dubbed as “Pathway to Glory”, the event will feature hundreds of women from various states vying to get one step closer to their dream of representing the United States during the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Local notables include Baltimore’s very own Franchon Crews and Red Lion PA’s Brittany Inkrote.
The opening rounds of “Pathway to Glory” take place on 8th and 9th, with the semi finals and finals slated for the Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th respectively. Doors open at 6:30 and the first fight begins at 8:15 pm sharp all four days. Complementary tickets for the opening rounds are available on Baltimoreboxing.com. Individual tickets for the semi finals starting at $15 and finals from $25 can also be purchased at Baltimoreboxing.com or by calling 410-375-9175. VIP tables, including complementary hors dourves and the best seats in the house, are available for the finals from $350. The Baltimore Harbor Hotel is located at 101 W Fayette St.
As part of this special multi-day event, Baltimore Boxing is proudly teaming up to help multiple organizations raise funds and awareness for their cause.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, The House of Ruth will be recognized by Baltimore Boxing in association with the Olympic Qualifiers. One of the nation’s leading intimate partner violence centers, The House of Ruth helps thousands of battered women and children find safety and security. Thursday’s organization of honor is the American Breast Cancer Foundation. Established in 1997, the American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) provides financial assistance for breast cancer screening and diagnostic tests for uninsured or underprivileged individuals. In October 2011, Baltimore Boxing donated a percentage of their proceeds from a fight card to the ABCF. Friday evening’s group will be the South Atlantic Amateur Boxing Association, which oversees all amateur boxing in the state of Maryland.
“This is the most excited I’ve ever been for a boxing event and I’ve been around the sport most of my life,” said Smith, a former prizefighter who has promoted hundreds of shows in addition to training boxers at the Baltimore Boxing Club. “These four days will be memorable for the State of Maryland and City of Baltimore. Fans will not only have the opportunity to see four straight days of action but they may very well be watching the next Olympic gold medalist. If you’re in or near Baltimore, make sure to come out and see history!”
For more information, go to Baltimoreboxing.com or USABoxing.com.