The eight-day invitational event is open to novice (beginner) and open (oplevet) boxers of all ages from pee wee (aged 8-10) to masters (35 og over) and aims to create opportunities for women of all ages and abilities to compete.
Mere end 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, sagde: “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.
Colorado Springs, Lap. (November 14, 2022) - Georgia fluevægteren Sa'Rai "Warrior Princess" Brown-El er på et sensationelt løb, mens hun forbereder sig på at konkurrere i det kommende ungdoms-VM, November 14-26, i La Nucia, Spanien.
Den 17-årige fra Marietta er tre gange national junior-OL-mester (2017-19) som også har erobret guldmedaljer på 2021 USA Boxing Youth National Championships, 2020 USA Boxing Junior National Championships, 2019 Junior Open og 2019 National PAL, blandt de mange titler, hun ejer.
Hun begyndte at bokse i en alder af 8 i Albany, New York, hvor hendes familie var på besøg, til sidst førte dem alle til sin onkels fitnesscenter. Hendes far ønskede oprindeligt, at hendes brødre skulle bokse, men Sa’Rai ville også engagere sig i kampsport. Det var en naturlig overgang for hende, der er en arvebokser, fordi hendes far, mor og brødre har alle bokset.
"Mig og min mor gik for at finde et par handsker, efter vi fik at vide, at der ikke var nogen tilbage. Jeg begyndte at slå i posen, og så lavede jeg luffer med min onkel. Det var der, jeg blev forelsket i sporten og opdagede, at jeg naturligt var født til at gøre det her."
Hun har udmærket sig på alle områder på sin bemærkelsesværdige rolle, som hun vil forsøge at forlænge ved ungdoms-VM i løbet af de næste to uger.
“Jeg er super pumpet og klar til at tage til Spanien til ungdomsverdenen," sagde den ultrasikre Sa'Rai. "Min tankegang er på guld. Min manifestation og hårde arbejde vil bringe mig i toppen på den sidste dag med guldmedaljen om halsen på det nummer et podie. Det er virkelig en velsignelse at repræsentere USA.
”Min største udfordring er nok mig selv; boksning er 90 procent mentalt, hvilket betyder, at jeg skal have en tankegang om, at intet kan være svært nok til at forhindre mig i at nå mine mål. Mine kortdistancemål, lige nu, skal vinde Youth Worlds og slutte året af med Youth High Performance Team. Lang distance, Jeg ville sige, er at kæmpe i 2024 OL i Paris. At være verdensmester, så op til som en inspiration for alle og, vigtigst, har vist sig at være den mest frygtede kvindelige bokser."
Brown-El mener, at USA Boxing har hjulpet med at arbejde mod andre stilarter ved turneringer, ud over at have gavn af at træne med sine elite staldkammerater, og under vejledning af trænere i verdensklasse, på det topmoderne United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center i Colorado Springs, Colorado.
“Jeg kan vise mine evner og har lært mange andre færdigheder og øvelser der (træningscenter) at blive en universalbokser,” bemærkede hun. "Jeg har været i stand til at gå imod enhver stil, der er i internationale kampe og være i stand til at dominere hver gang. USA Boxing har lært mig meget værdifulde lektioner: at være professionel, disciplineret og dedikeret, fordi der er mange forhindringer, der følger med. For mig, at være professionel er den eneste måde at få en karriere i denne sport på."
Vinder ved 2021 National at være en del af 2022 Ungdoms High Performance Team, hidtil, er højdepunkterne i hendes relativt unge boksekarriere. At vinde den guldmedalje, Sa'Rai forklarede, hun havde brug for at trænge igennem skader, der næsten tvang hende til at trække sig ud af turneringen.
Brown-El har en høj ring-IQ. Dybest set, den søde videnskab handler om at ramme modstanderen uden at blive ramt, især i boksning i olympisk stil. Hendes ring-IQ er højere end hendes år, ved hjælp af vinkler, konstant i bevægelse, og forvirrer sin modstander med sin undvigelse. Og, Brown-El tilføjer hurtigt, det betyder ikke, at hun ikke banker, hvis det er nødvendigt.
"Jeg elsker at repræsentere mit land,” konkluderede hun. "Jeg vil gerne vise verden, at vi er de største. Team USA vil vinde toppen ved ungdomsverdenen. Min besked til U.S.A. boksefans er at blive ved med at se. Fremtiden for boksning er på vej ind!"
OM USA BOXING: Missionen for USA Boxing skal være at gøre det muligt for USA's atleter og trænere at opnå vedvarende konkurrencedygtig ekspertise, udvikle karakter, støtte boksesporten, og fremme og dyrke olympisk boksning i USA. Ansvaret for USA Boxing er ikke kun at producere olympisk guld, men også at overvåge og styre alle aspekter af amatørboksning i USA.
Colorado Springs, Lap. (November 10, 2022) – Som talentfuld fjervægter Cornellio “Chada” forbereder Phipps sig til det kommende ungdoms-VM, han indrømmer at leve drømmen, og inden han bliver professionel om et par år, bokseplanen i olympisk stil for ham er medalje i 2024 OL i Paris.
Den 17-årige Phipps, der kæmper ud af Oxford, Pa., begyndte først at bokse for fire år siden efter råd fra sin far. Phipps spillede basketball og fodbold, men han følte ikke, at nogen af dem var hans sande sted. Han blev faktisk forelsket i boksning, mens han så kampe, før han overhovedet boksede, da han var syv.
"Jeg siger til folk, at de aldrig skal opgive deres drømme, at blive ved med at slå, og lad aldrig nogen tvivle på dig,sagde Phipps. "Det her føles godt (forberedelse til ungdomsverdenen). Jeg troede aldrig, at jeg ville komme til denne fase. Det har været hårdt, men sjovt. Jeg er på Team USA og repræsenterer mit land.
”Det starter på den store scene med, at jeg vinder medaljer ved ungdomsverdenen (November 14-26, i La Nucia, Spanien). At være på Team USA har gjort en stor forskel for mig. Jeg har lært at bokse mod forskellige bevægelser, forstå pointsystemet, og hvordan man vinder. Træning i Colorado Springs har hjulpet mig til at få succes og også have det sjovt at lære af mine nye trænere.”
Phipps har allerede smagt succes forud for Youth Worlds. Han har vundet guldmedaljer på 2022 USA Boxing National Qualifier, 2021 USA Boxing Youth National Championships, samt 2020 og 2019 Junior NM.
All-around boxer-puncher er den bedste måde at beskrive Phipps stil i ringen. Han kan slås, kasse, og bevæger sig godt rundt. »Jeg er mere en bokser end en slagsmåler,” bemærkede han. "Jeg kan kæmpe udenpå eller ligge på tovene. Jeg bevæger mig og viser vinkler, plus at jeg nemt kan skifte til southpaw (fra hans ortodokse holdning)."
Ligesom mange af hans unge USA Boxing-holdkammerater, Youth Worlds bliver den første internationale konkurrence i hans karriere. Disse mesterskaber er noget, han virkelig ser frem til af mange forskellige årsager.
"Jeg er spændt på at kæmpe på min første internationale konkurrence ved ungdomsverdenen i Spanien,” sluttede Phipps. "Jeg skulle kæmpe i en turnering i Bulgarien i 2020, men det blev aflyst på grund af COVID. Jeg vil vise mine evner ved Youth Worlds for at bevise, at jeg hører til på topniveau, og det er OL.”
Konkurrencen begynder i La Nucia, Spanien tirsdag, November. 15 og kan følges afved at klikke her.
OM USA BOXING: Missionen for USA Boxing skal være at gøre det muligt for USA's atleter og trænere at opnå vedvarende konkurrencedygtig ekspertise, udvikle karakter, støtte boksesporten, og fremme og dyrke olympisk boksning i USA. Ansvaret for USA Boxing er ikke kun at producere olympisk guld, men også at overvåge og styre alle aspekter af amatørboksning i USA.
Colorado Springs, Lap. (November 7, 2022) — USA Boxing annoncerede i dag de ni boksere, der vil repræsentere Team USA i La Nucia, Spanien ved 2022 Ungdoms verdensmesterskaber i boksning. Den fulde holdliste kan ses nedenfor.
USA Boxing National Developmental Coach Chad Wigle (Colorado Springs, Colo.) skal lede holdet i Spanien, med assistenttrænere Gilberto Garza (San Antonio, Texas), blanca gutierrez (Pacifica, Calif.), Elizabeth Navarro (Mission, Texas) og Richard Stephenson (Middletown, N.Y.), samt USA Boxing Strength and Conditioning Fellow Gillian Brennan (Overland Park, Maj.). Yderligere personale, der rejser med holdet, inkluderer USA Boxing High Performance Coordinator Morgan Bergquist (Colorado Springs, Colo.), USA Boxing Communications Manager Brian Taylor (Whiteville, N.C.) og Dr. Ingrid Carter (Doral, Fla.), som vil fungere som teamlæge under disse mesterskaber.
Disse verdensmesterskaber for ungdom vil være de første verdensmesterskaber for unge, som Team USA har deltaget i siden 2018, hvor holdet vandt tre guld- og en bronzemedalje. Den officielle lodtrækning finder sted på mandag, November. 14, med konkurrencen sat til at begynde på tirsdag, November. 15. Finalerne vil blive opdelt i to konkurrencedage på fredag, November. 25 og lørdag, November. 26.
Alle ni boksere vil få deres Team USA internationale debut ved disse verdensmesterskaber.
89 nationer har ansøgt om at deltage i turneringen, med 476 mandlige og 208 kvindelige boksere tilmeldte sig til at konkurrere. De endelige tal vil blive offentliggjort ved lodtrækningen af turneringen.
USA Boxing vil fortsætte med at opdatere2022 Ungdoms VM hjemmeside gennem hele konkurrencen, inklusive kampark, resultater, livestream information og mere.
OM USA BOXING: Missionen for USA Boxing skal være at gøre det muligt for USA's atleter og trænere at opnå vedvarende konkurrencedygtig ekspertise, udvikle karakter, støtte boksesporten, og fremme og dyrke olympisk boksning i USA. Ansvaret for USA Boxing er ikke kun at producere olympisk guld, men også at overvåge og styre alle aspekter af amatørboksning i USA.
Colorado Springs, Col. (Marts 10, 2023) — The USA Boxing Alumni Association will host two events during the 2022 National Qualifier in Cleveland, Ohio, to honor Northeast Ohio Olympians, Verdensmestre, 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. Arrangementet, which will be free entry, will run from 7:30 p.m. til 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.
Arrangementet, which will be from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 om aftenen, 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, trænere, and officials, we hope to inspire the next generation of champions on their road to the 2024 Olympics.”
For mere information, venligst kontakt alumni@usaboxing.org. USA Boxing Alumni Association Created to champion lifelong, gensidigt fordelagtige forhold mellem USA Boxing og dets alumner, –boksere, officials, trænere, and boxing fans — The Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, ind og ud af ringen.
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 atalumni@usaboxing.orgfor a $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, keychain, and e-wallet.
OM USA BOXING: Missionen for USA Boxing skal være at gøre det muligt for USA's atleter og trænere at opnå vedvarende konkurrencedygtig ekspertise, udvikle karakter, støtte boksesporten, og fremme og dyrke olympisk boksning i USA. Ansvaret for USA Boxing er ikke kun at producere olympisk guld, men også at overvåge og styre alle aspekter af amatørboksning i USA.
BOSTON (Juni 6, 2021) – Ryan Roach’s Fighter Locker managerial company will have three representatives competing in Tokyo this summer in the Summer Olympic Games.
Colombian light flyweightYuberjan “El Tremendo” Martinez, who captured a silver medal at the 2018 Olympics in Brazil, is currently rated fourth in the world by AIBA. His main opposition figures to beArtur Hovhannisyan (Armenien), Oscar Collazo (Puerto Rico) og Nodirjon Mirzakhmedov (Usbekistan).
Martinez lost in the 2018 Olympic championship final to Uzbekistan’sHasanboy Dusmatov, 3-0. A decorated amateur, Martinez won gold medals at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games and 2018 South American Games, silver at the 2019 Pan American Games and 2014 Centralamerikanske og Caribiske spil, and bronze at the 2017 World Amateur Championships.
Another 2-time Olympian is Dominican Republic lightweightLionel de los Santos, der er vurderet nr. 3 by AIBA behindLazaro Jorge Alvarez (Cuba) ogTsendbaster Erdenebat (Mongolia). Santos, who was eliminated in the last Olympics in the preliminary round, is already 3-0 as a professional with three first-round knockouts.
Santos, 26, was a silver medalist at the prestigious Pan-American Games in 2019, where he lost to 3-time Pan-Am gold medalistLazaro Alvarez, the 3-time World amateur champion and 2-time Olympic bronze medalist.
The third Fighter Locker Olympian is Colombian middleweightJorge Vivas, a 33-year-old who won a silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games.
“Adding these fighters to the Fighter Locker family was a huge accomplishment,” managerRyan Roachsaid. “These guys are the best of the best in the world. You’re talking less than one-percent chance of making an Olympic team and two of three of my fighters are going back to the Olympics for the second time.
“After the Olympics, I will quickly transition these fighters into the professional ranks, as long as they are healthy and so forth. We have four fight dates set for them and representing their homelands proudly. I am very honored to represent these young men and guide their careers.”
Fighter Locker’s growing stable of gifted boxers include California super flyweightRocco “So Cal Kid” Santomauro (21-1, 6 KOS), Troy, NY ABF American West super lightweightRay Jay “The Destroyer” Bermudez(12-0, 9 KOS), Toronto, Canada welterweight West Haven, CT super welterweightJimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams (17-5-2, 6 KOS), super mellemvægt“The Amazing” Shawn McCalman(7-0, 4 KOS), US. Army super bantamweightDaniel Bailey, Jr. (5-0, 4 KOS), letvægtsLeonel de los Santos(2-0, 2 KOS), en2-time Dominican Republic Olympian, Boston featherweightTroy Anderson, Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), pro-debuting Dominican Republic welterweightJuan Solano, and Salt Lake City, 2016 Brazilian Olympic silver medalistYuberjen Martinez, Brazilian OlympianJorge Vivas, Colorado super middleweight Marvin “Too Much” Cordova, Jr. (23-2-1, 12 KOS), West Palm Beach, FL light heavyweight Robert Daniels, Jr. (4-0, 4 KOS), Utah brothers, super letIgnacio Chairez (8-0-1, 5 KOS) and lightweightGabriel Chairez (3-0-1, 2 KOS).
ABOUT FIGHTER LOCKER: Etableret i 2019, Fighter Locker is a comprehensive sports agency that manages professional boxers. Fighter Locker also helps to brand boxers by finding their voice with a 100-percent customized service. Fighter Locker does not really believe in working models. It believes in partnership optimization models in motion.
Fighter Locker uses four creative steps because it believes in “the foundation is everything”: 1. wisely conceived, 2. creatively restrained, 3. Proudly judged, 4. sharply targeted.
Colorado Springs, Lap. (Marts 15, 2021) – There is no more of a family affair in USA Boxing thanKayla Gomez’s, in which her mother, Crystal Aceves, and grandmother, Cindy Aceves, work her corner.
They will be together once again at the 2020 USA Boxing nationale mesterskaber, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic from last December to March 25 – April 3, in Shreveport, Den.
The 18-year-old Gomez, who lives in El Paso (TX), is a youth flyweight (112 lbs.) bokser, who finished second at the 2019 Nationale mesterskaber, highlighting her first year in Youth competition. She has a growing supply of gold medals having finished on top at the 2019 & 2018 Western Regional Open, 2018 & 2017 Junior Open Championships, og 2018 & 2017 Eastern Regional Open. She is also a 5-time National Junior Olympic champion (2015 igennem 2019).
A self-described multi-dimensional boxer, Kayla is a counter puncher and consummate boxer, displaying veteran-like “ringmanship,” but also capable of being a technical brawler and pressure fighter. She first started boxing in 2012 after watching a documentary on the 2012 Olympics.
“The inspiration of the boxers training to earn a gold medal motivated me to learn this unique sport,” Gomez explained. “I dedicate my whole life to boxing and as of right now, amateur boxing has impacted my life in a positive manner, paving my way in the near future to earn different accolades and experience for an Olympic gold medal and my pro career.”
Her mother, Crystal, is an amateur boxer who has competed in many tournaments. She will not compete in these championships this year because she is fully focused right now on her daughter and her future. She will be competing at other 2021 tournaments.
“As a boxer, my mom knows what it’s like to be in my position, so instead of getting mad at me, she gives me alternatives to do when I’m feeling low or not myself to have a better chance of being the best fighter I can be,” Kayla explained what it’s like having her mother and grandmother working her corner. “We all have a great relationship and work well in the ring together. They understand what it’s like to be in my position.”
A high school senior, Kayla is in a K-12 program for an online school due to her busy schedule. She does plan to attend college and share her boxing with educational opportunities.
“My education is just as important as my boxing,” She concluded. “I will attend college and work really hard to accomplish my goal of earning a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics and beginning my pro career afterwards.”
Kayla Gomez is a legacy boxer with a promising future.
OM USA BOXING: Missionen for USA Boxing skal være at gøre det muligt for USA's atleter og trænere at opnå vedvarende konkurrencedygtig ekspertise, udvikle karakter, støtte boksesporten, 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.
Colorado Springs, Lap. (Marts 8, 2021) – In the 2019 USA National Boxing Championships, Amir Andersenwas 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 nationale mesterskaber, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic from last December to March 25 April 3, in Shreveport, Den.
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. Jeg ønsker at vinde!
“Last time I had nothing to lose at Nationals. Nu, 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 og 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, for. 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, for. 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.
OM USA BOXING: Missionen for USA Boxing skal være at gøre det muligt for USA's atleter og trænere at opnå vedvarende konkurrencedygtig ekspertise, udvikle karakter, støtte boksesporten, 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.
(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – When the boxers of the USA Boxing Olympic Qualification Team arrived in Colorado Springs, Colorado. this week they walked into a new training facility with just over six months left until the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and even less time to their qualification tournaments.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, USA Boxing athletes have not been allowed to train in the national boxing gym at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center (USOPTC) since March 2020 and have had to continue to make adjustments to their training plans, which included training at the French National Training Center in Paris in late 2020.
After being told they would not be allowed to begin 2021 at the USOPTC, the coaching and national office staff had to find a new home to begin the final preparations for the qualification tournaments taking place in May and June.
“After spending most of 2020 waiting to be allowed entry back into our national gym at the Colorado Springs OPTC, it was time that we took matters into our own hands and established a training space that can properly accommodate our team’s training needs,” said Matt Johnson, USA Boxing High Performance Director.
USA Boxing ended 2020 and the beginning of 2021 moving all equipment, which included four boxing rings, numerous heavy bags and strength and conditioning equipment, from their gym at the USOPTC to an abandoned department store in a mall in Colorado Springs to hold training camps, while housing the boxers and coaching staff at the nearby Hotel Eleganté.
“We are able to continue to move forward in this COVID environment by applying multi-layer protection protocols, pre-travel testing, mandatory mask wearing, social distancing, regular cleaning, regular rapid antigen testing, daily health surveys and follow up PRC pool testing, as well as provide a top notch training facility in our temporary facility, which we are greatly thankful for John Bushman, owner of Hotel Eleganté and the training facility, to help provide these opportunities to our boxers,” stated Mike McAtee, USA Boxing Executive Director.
“The training facility and environment we have created has greatly reduced the risk to our boxers and coaches. USA Boxing strives to fulfill our stated mission to our boxers, ‘… (til) inspire the tireless pursuit of Olympic gold and enable our boxers and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence…’ in the face of a worldwide pandemic.”
The first training camp of 2021 began Jan. 14 and will run until Feb. 18, before the boxers head to Bulgaria and Spain for international competitions. USA Boxing will hold the final training camp before the America’s Olympic Qualification Tournament at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, in Chula Vista, Calif., in another makeshift boxing gym, which held the final training camp of 2020 i november.
Olympian Raul Marquez on USA Boxing Alumni’s 1992 US Trials virtual reunion
Colorado Springs, Lap. (November 24, 2020) – USA Boxing and the USA Boxing Alumni Association recently held a virtual reunion via Zoom for competitors at the 1992 USA Boxing Trials, including a pair of 1992 USA Olympians, Raul Marquez and Montell Griffin. The group was comprised of 19 fighters who competed at the 1992 USA Olympic Trials, plus a few administrators, who happily spoke non-stop for an hour and 45 minutter. They gleefully reminisced, shared personal updates from the past 22 år, remembered their most memorable experiences as amateur boxers, and even got emotional at times as they rebounded.
Some have kept in touch through emails and social media, but visibly seeing each other on the Zoom call was eye-opening for these ring brothers. “You all are part of USA Boxing,” said call hostMike McAtee, Executive Director of USA Boxing. “Hector Colon and Raul Marquez got their brothers on this call. It was a natural fit. Vi har 13 kids getting ready to qualify in May for the Olympics. USA Boxing touches 36,000 kids every day. It changed our lives, and we can have an impact saving lives. “It’s an honor seeing you all. You are the backbone of USA Boxing. Boxing made us who we are, you have inspired boxers. This was long overdue, and we plan to have reunions with other Olympic Trials classes in the future.”
“This is very cool to see everybody and I enjoy listening to you,” tilføjet Chris Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Association Director. “You’re all helping bring the spirit back to USA Boxing Alumni. Boxing people love being around boxing people, and that’s what the USA Boxing Alumni Association is all about. We’re bringing that spirit back. I love having you guys in our alumni program. This has been a blast!”
“I’m not much of a boxer, but I’m happy to be part of this boxing program,” kommenterede Barry Siff, USA Boxing volunteer marketing advisor. “I grew up in Detroit during the 1980’s and hung out at Kronk (Gym). I’m happy to be on this call. We all need to help Mike and the team going forward. Don’t wait until 2028 i Los Angeles. We have Tokyo next year and Paris in 2024. Kids can learn from you. I’m happy to be part of USA Boxing.”
USA Boxing Alumni AssociationCreated to champion lifelong, gensidigt fordelagtige forhold mellem USA Boxing og dets alumner, –boksere, officials, coaches and boxing fans — The Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, ind og ud af ringen. 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 atalumni@usaboxing.orgfor a $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, keychain and e-wallet.
FIGHTERS’ CITATER(Robert Allen og Tarick Salmaciwere also on the call but unable to speak due to technical problems)
HECTOR COLON: “I love you guys. It’s been so long. I hope we can communicate like this more often. We need you all to support USA Boxing and USA Boxing Alumni. My first international fight was in Barbados and I knocked out my opponent in 26 sekunder. I remember receiving the Adidas bag and shoes. It was such a special thing. I dreamed of making the Olympics and I should have, but I found God calling me away from the sport. I was proud watching you and I rooted for you. “It’s great to be back in USA Boxing and giving back to USA Boxing, because it helped me become the person I am today. I could have gone the wrong way. Let’s do this again and keep giving back to our sports.”
RAUL MARQUEZ: “I’m very excited to be here. I feel honored and I’m probably the only one here who fought most of the guys here. I have a lot of memories. I’m honored to be here with you, my boxing family. It’s beautiful. “Everybody here knows how hard it is to win a tournament. We know what it takes because we were all elite. We have to give back. I’m still involved in boxing.”
ORLANDO HARRIS: “I had the greatest time in USA Boxing. I started late. I fought once before I went into the military. I got better and learned how to fight in the military. I had to because I had to do good or go back to my unit. I ’04 I got into car accident. Everybody died but me. They say I’m disabled, but I’m not, I still coach boxing.”
PAULIE AYALA: “The ’92 Olympic Trials is my most memorable moment because I was there. I 1988, I lost in The Westerns in the semifinals and I left boxing. I wasn’t focused. I watched you people excel and didn’t fight again until 1992. I lost to Sergio (Reyes), who I had fought 16 times before that fight. I met a lot of you guys fighting in Russia. What’s inspiring is listening to all of you.”
MONTELL GRIFFIN: “I was late going to the rty, coming in 1991. I had two fights going into the Golden Gloves, but I lied and said I had 12 so I could fight in the opens. My first fight was in 1991. I had to fight the No. 1 guy, Jeremy Williams, to make the Olympic team. De, 1 ½ years as were the best of my life. I looked up to all of you guys and have respect for all.”
ANTWUN ECHOLS: “I made it to Team USA, and I was an Olympic alternate. Raul (Marquez), he likes to talk, and I was excited to fight him. I learned a lot. I love being with all the guys. Larry Nicholson took me under his wing. He talked to me daily. I was a young kid, and my family life wasn’t good. When I went to the ’92 championships, these people were my family. “I was raw off the streets of Davenport (Iowa) and Larry took care of me…tak. If it wasn’t for the people at the Olympic Center, I don’t know where I’d be today.”
DANNY RIOS: “I 1992, I lost in the semifinals of the US Championships. Så, I had to win the Golden Gloves to go to the Olympics. At the Trials I won my first fight and lost my second. I later turned pro. I’m working security and helping to train fighters at a local gym. I hope to have my own gym. I’m glad to see you all after all these years.
SKIPPER KELP: “I’m in Vegas. I moved here when I was in the amateurs. The best thing was the camaraderie. We grew up together. Sammen, we came of age as teenagers and I met some of my best friends for life. We were all at the elite level, the best versus the best, and eventually we fought each other. I met a lot of guys in 1989 i Rusland. “I own Fight Capital Gym in Las Vegas. When you go to Vegas, call me and come to my gym. We have a brotherhood for life. Amateur boxing brings people together. To reconnect like this is awesome.”
DANELL NICHOLSON: “My most memorable moment was representing USA Boxing at the 1992 OL, because I became an Olympian and met all these great athletes. Meeting you is really my most memorable. You can’t beat boxing!”
RONALD SIMMS: “I was probably on the amateur team longer than anybody. I stayed on so long that I have a lot of memories. I was part of the 1988, 1992 og 1996 Olympic teams. I saw a lot of talent come through. I started in 1995; this sport is addictive and I’m still involved in amateur boxing. We still have the most talented kids in amateur boxing. “My dream was to make the Olympic Team and I still haven’t made it. My goal was to be No. 1 and I was in 1995. Derefter, I wanted to quit, but my coach said it wasn’t the time. The lessons I learned from you guys and sharing with kids is what it’s all about. I’m in India working as the chief coach, doing what I love.”
PAUL VADEM: “I’m glad to see everyone. I have so many memories, the most memorable is seeing you, my boxing brothers. We trained together to make names for ourselves. We will always have this to go back on. I get emotional. It didn’t matter where you came from, your economical values, and we competed against each other. But at the end of the day we respected each other. “I’m a speaker and author today. What I had learned in boxing is why I’m able to do what I do. Tak. This is beautiful. I’m thankful to see you all.”
JAMES JOHNSON: “It’s amazing to see some of these faces, It’s great to see you, fyre! I remember the Olympic Festival. Randall Crippen. He was talkative……I gave him a diploma at the end of the match. “I broke my hand in competition and they wouldn’t let me fight. I did and I drew a hometown kid in (Worcester) Massachusetts, Bobby Harris, og vandt. With one hand, I lost in the final. It’s good to see you guys. I’m living in Flint, Michigan. I went on to get my college career and today I’m a network engineer.”
DEAN FLETCHER: “I was an amateur a long time. I have many memories, but one is the years I was on the Board of Directors as an athlete representative. Kids today, the reason you can’t fight twice a day is me. “The traveling, I can’t let that go. When things aren’t going well, I think of my amateur days. Nothing but love for you guys.”
LARRY NICHOLSON: “My most memorable things is being the 1993 Boxer Årets. I accomplished a lot. I won silver at the 1993 og 1994 VM. Should have been gold. You were great fighters and role models. I had an opportunity to go to college – North Michigan University – and I have a degree. “I’m still involved in boxing today as head coach of the Michigan Golden Gloves. I’m very happy where I am right now. I didn’t go pro because I love amateur boxing, the discipline and life. I worked with three Olympic teams. We’ve done well as frat brothers.”
MARK LANTON: “It’s a pleasure to see everybody like this. My most memorable moment was winning the Western Trials. I was an Army soldier when I was an amateur fighter. In Iraq, undertiden, Frank Vassar kept in touch with me. I’m retired now from the military. I worked at the VA as a federal police officer. I’m totally retired. I coach kids at a local gym and I’m living the life in Orlando.
FRANK VASSAR: “Winning the US Olympic Sports Festival and National Golden Gloves in 1999 was my most memorable. I was in the Army, the National Guards, when I was boxing. I got commissioned in the Air Force. I did three combat tours and was injured. Crazy stuff. I’m glad I made it back. I always enjoyed going to tournaments and seeing you guys. I love all you guys.”
RICHARD BONDS: I 1989, I remember fighting Jeremy Williams. He was the best and that put me on the map. The next four years I was going to Colorado and that was the best. I was a college student and got a criminal justice degree at the University of Memphis. I met Echols at dual. We’d come together three or four times a year, maybe more and when you saw somebody it was like yesterday. “I 1992, I wanted to make the Olympic team. I lost my first fight in Worcester and didn’t make it to the Olympics. There were only 12 weight classes and I was one of those guys. You are my frat brothers.”
2020 USA Boxing nationale mesterskaber Den 2020 USA Boxing National Championships will be held December 5-12 at Shreveport Convention Center in Shreveport, Louisiana.
