Memphis to host final opportunity for boxers to qualify for Olympic Trials
The final qualifying event for the Olympic Trials for Men’s Boxing will be held in conjunction with the Olympic Trials for Women’s Boxing, October 26-31 at the same Memphis Cook Convention Center.
As of today, Friday, October 16, 2015, USA Amateur boxers have just three days left to register for the final qualifier for boxers hoping to earn an Olympic Trials berth. The registration deadline is 5 p.m. Mountain Time on Monday, October 19. From this tournament, the two finalists in each of the 10 men’s weight divisions and women’s three female weight divisions will then advance to the December Olympic Trials in Reno, Nevada. Here’s the latest calendar of events.
Olympic Trials Qualifier for Women
The second edition of the Olympic Trials for Women’s Boxing with 24 participants will take place on October 26-31 in Memphis, Tenn. The elite women (19 years of age and older) will compete in a double elimination tournament at the Memphis Cook Convention Center with the three winners earning a chance to represent the United States at the international Olympic qualifiers.
Olympic Trials qualifiers thus far:
Flyweight/112 pounds
1. Marlen Esparza, Houston, Texas (USA Boxing National Championships, Bronze Medalist in the 2012 Olympics)
Marlen Esparza is shown having her arm raised in victory.
2. Virginia Fuchs, Kemah, Texas (USA Boxing National Championships)
3. Christina Cruz, New York, N.Y. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
4. Amanda Pavone, Burlington, Mass. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
5. Alex Love, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
6. Jamie Mitchell, Las Vegas, Nev. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
7. Giovanna Camacho, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
8. Melanie Costa, Norton, Mass. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
Lightweight/132 pounds
1. Mikaela Mayer, Los Angeles, Calif. (USA Boxing National Championships)
2. Lisa Porter, Van Nuys, Calif. (USA Boxing National Championships) former San Diegan.
Road warrior: Lisa Porter keeps fit by running in marathons and half-marathons.
3. Jajaira Gonzalez, Glendora, Calif. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
4. Rianna Rios, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
5. Stalacia Leggett, San Diego, Calif. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
Step by step, the amazing Stalacia Leggett gets the job done. First, she went after a law degree from the University of California Hastings College of the Law, soon after she passed her bar exam. Now she’s set her sights on going to the 2016 Olympics.
6. Tiara Brown, Fort Myers, Fla. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
7. Samantha Kinchen, Lexington, Ky. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
8. Amelia Moore, Millersville, Md. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
Middleweight/165 pounds
1. Claressa Shields, Flint, Mich. (USA Boxing National Championships, won the Gold Medal at the 2012 Olympics)
Just this week, a documentary of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields’ amazing life was being shown nationwide at 36 theaters.
2. Raquel Miller, San Diego, Calif. (USA Boxing National Championships)
After being Claressa Shields’ back-up for the 2012 Olympiad in London, Raquel Miller would like to reverse positions and have her shot at the Gold Medal. Photo: J. Wyatt
3. Tika Hemingway, Brackenridge, Pa. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
4. Danyelle Wolf, San Diego, Calif. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
With there only being three weight divisions for women, Danyelle Wolfe, who normally fights at 152 lbs., had to move up in weight to 165 lbs. Here we see the dedicated boxer working hard on wind sprints to build up her leg strength. Observing her progress is her coach, Joe Vargas, at The Arena in Point Loma, San Diego, Calif.
Danyelle Wolf (r), a VIP guest at one of the recent Bobby D Presents Pro Boxing shows at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Diego’s Mission Valley, is shown joking around with veteran referee Fritz Werner. Photo: Jim Wyatt
5. Naomi Graham, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
6. Franchon Crews, Baltimore, Md. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
7. Iesha Kenney, Alexandria, Va. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
8. Cierra Taylor, Rochester, N.Y. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
Event following the name denotes the tournament in which the the young lady qualified to be in the Olympic Trials
Olympic Trials Qualifier Men
The final qualifying event for the Men’s Olympic Trials will be held in conjunction with the Olympic Trials for Women’s Boxing, October 26-31 at the same Memphis Cook Convention Center in Memphis. The top two finishers in each weight division will earn the final Olympic Trials berths and advance to the Olympic Trials of December 7-12, 2015 in Reno, Nevada.
Light flyweight/108 pounds
1. Nico Hernandez, Wichita, Kansas (WSB and World Championship Team Trial)
2. Melik Elliston, Denver, Colo. (USA Boxing National Championships)
3. Pablo Ramirez, Weslaco, Texas (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
4. D’Angelo Sandate, Thornton, Colo. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
5. Leroy Davila, Princeton, N. J. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
6. Adrian Servin, Phoenix, Ariz. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
Flyweight/114 pounds
1. Brent Venegas III, Sacramento, Calif. (WSB and World Championship Team Trial)
2. Antonio Vargas, Kissimmee, Fla. (USA Boxing National Championships)
3. Aarkeyse Higdon, Lansing, Mich. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
4. Gilbert Renteria, Houston, Texas (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
5. Jay Crenshaw, Houston, Texas (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
6. Christian Carto, Deptford, N. J. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
Bantamweight/123 pounds
1. Francisco Martinez, Dallas, Texas (WSB and World Championship Team Trial)
2. Ruben Villa, Salinas Calif. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
3. Irvin Gonzalez, Worcester, Mass. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
4. Shakur Stevenson, Newark, N. J. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
5. Mikhail Montgomery, Macon, Ga. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
*As the 2015 USA Boxing National Champion has turned professional, there will be seven boxers competing in the bantamweight division at the Olympic Trials
Lightweight/132 pounds
1. Carlos Balderas, Santa Maria, Calif. (WSB and World Championship Team Trial)
2. Teofimo Lopez, Davie, Fla. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
3. Genaro Gamez, San Diego, Calif. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
It’s great to have so much support. Genaro Gamez (c) has is father Luis Gamez (r) coaching him and for excellent sparring, his younger brother Rey lends a hand. Like his older brother, Rey Gamez is also a National Champion. And finally, his Mom and sister are known for their culinary skills.
4. Israel Mercado, Montclair, Calif. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
5. Elijah Pierce, Oklahoma City, Okla. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
*As the 2015 USA Boxing National Champion has turned professional, there will be seven boxers competing in the lightweight division at the Olympic Trials
Light welterweight/141 pounds
1. Tyrek Irby, Oxon Hill, Md. (WSB and World Championship Team Trial)
2. Luis Feliciano, Milwaukee, Wis. (USA Boxing National Championships)
3. Gary Russell, Capitol Heights, Md. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
4. Rahim Gonzales, Sylmar, Calif. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
5. Jaron Ennis, Philadelphia, Penna. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
6. Jamaine Ortiz-Rodriguez, Worcester, Mass. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
Welterweight/152 pounds
1. Brian Ceballo, Brooklyn, N.Y. (WSB and World Championship Team Trial)
2. Ardreal Holmes, Flint, Mich. (USA Boxing National Championships)
3. Jose Alday, Jr., Odessa, Texas (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
4. Vardges Vardanyan, Panorama City, Calif. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
5. Paul Kroll, Philadelphia, Pa. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
6. Mark Dawson, Philadelphia, Pa. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
Middleweight/165 pounds
1. Anthony Campbell, Covington, Tenn. (WSB and World Championship Team Trial)
2. Chordale Booker, Brooklyn, N.Y. (USA Boxing National Championships)
- Marquis Moore, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
- Christopher Ousley, Middleton, Wis. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
5. Leshawn Rodriguez, Medford, N.J. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
6. Trevor Lattimore, Bridgeport, Conn. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
Light heavyweight/178 pounds
1. Steven Nelson of Omaha, Neb. but now living in San Diego (WSB and World Championship Team Trial)
2. Edward Ortiz, San Antonio, Texas (USA Boxing National Championships)
3. Miguel Teo, Framingham, Mass. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
4. Richard Vansiclen, Seattle, Wash. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
5. Jonathan Esquivel, Anaheim, Calif. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
6. Elvis Figueroa, New Haven, Conn. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
Heavyweight/201 pounds
1. Joshua Temple, St. Louis, Mo. (WSB and World Championship Team Trial)
2. Patrick Ferguson, Spokane, Wash. (USA Boxing National Championships)
3. Cam F. Awesome, Lenexa, Kansas (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
4. Derae Crane, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
5. Adrian Taylor, Mesquite, Texas (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
6. Hakim Lopez, Lithonia, Ga. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
Super heavyweight/201+ pounds
1. Cam F. Awesome, Lenexa, Kansas (WSB and World Championship Team Trial)
2. Darmani Rock, Philadelphia, Pa. (USA Boxing National Championships)
3. Marlo Moore, Hayward, Calif. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
4. Brandon Glanton, Ellenwood, Ga. (Olympic Trials Qualifier I)
5. Alante Green, Cleveland, Ohio (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
6. Manase Raikadroka, Inglewood, Calif. (Olympic Trials Qualifier II)
U. S. Olympic Trials for Boxing
Athletes will arrive in Reno on December 5 prior to the general weigh-in and tournament draw on December 6 and competition will begin on December 7. The first four days of competition will take place at the Silver Legacy Exposition Hall with the challengers bracket final round bouts and championship matches being contested at the Reno Events Center, December 11 and 12.
The athletes in the light flyweight (108 lbs.) to light welterweight (141 lbs.) divisions will be staying at the Eldorado Hotel and the athletes in the welterweight (152 lbs.) to super heavyweight (201+ lbs.) weight divisions will be housed at the Silver Legacy. Hotel rates and links for booking with be posted on the USA Boxing website this week for coaches, friends and family to book rooms.
Women’s World Championships Team Trial to be held alongside the Olympic Trials for Men’s Boxing
A World Championship Team Trial for the seven non-Olympic women’s weight divisions will be held alongside the Olympic Trials for Men’s Boxing, December 7-11 in Reno, Nev. Due to the short turnaround time between the event and the 2016 Women’s World Championships, a valid passport with an expiration date after July 31, 2016 will be required to compete in the event.
Registration for the Women’s World Championship Team Trial is now open but will close at 5 p.m. Mountain Time on Monday, November 30. The seven winners of this World Championship Team Trial will earn a spot on the United States squad for the 2016 Women’s World Championships, January 14-26 in Astana, Kazakhstan.
