Mobile, Alabama Hosts Olympic Team Trials 2011 Junior Olympic Nationals Annual Meeting

[USAB Grassroots Committee Chair Robert Matney]

T h e N a t i o n a l G o v e r n i n g B o d y f o r O l y m p
i
c - S t y l e B o x i n g

USA BOXING NEWS


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


DATE: May 12, 2011


CONTACT: Julie Goldsticker (720-542-9690 or ju...@goldstickerpr.com)


Mobile, Alabama to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing,
July 31-August 6
The 2011 Junior Olympic National Championships and to take place in
Mobile in Conjunction with Olympic qualifying tournament


(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) – Mobile, Alabama will showcase the biggest
event in men’s Olympic-style boxing action, July 31-August 6, as the
80 top male boxers in the United States converge on the Mobile Civic
Center for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing. Yet, the
boxing action won’t end there, as the sport’s future stars will
compete in the Junior Olympic National Championships, August 2-5, at
the Civic Center as well.


“This new event structure provides the boxing fan a unique
opportunity
to view and embrace multiple levels of Olympic-style boxing, ranging
from the future stars of our sport to the elite male athlete vying
for
a berth in the 2012 Olympic Games,” USA Boxing Executive Director
Anthony Bartkowski said. “We are thankful to have a fantastic host in
the Mobile Sports Authority as well as a top notch venue, the Mobile
Civic Center, which they have provided for this unique sporting event
and we look forward to enjoying their southern hospitality.”


In addition to the wide range of boxing action, USA Boxing’s key
personnel outside the ring will convene at USA Boxing’s Annual
Meeting, August 3-6. The organization’s dedicated volunteers will
enjoy the opportunity to attend both the Olympic Team Trials and
Junior National Championships while handling pertinent USA Boxing
business.


“The USA Boxing board of directors is pleased to offer these three
key
events to the membership, and we appreciate the efforts of the Mobile
Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau,” said Harold Adonis, USA Boxing
President. “This opportunity is innovative and provides all attendees
an opportunity to celebrate with the best athletes in the country as
they embark on their journey to the 2012 Olympics and future
Olympics.”


The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing will be a double
elimination tournament showcasing eight boxers in each of the 10
men’s
Olympic weight divisions. The 10 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s
Boxing champions will represent the United States at the 2011 World
Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan in September where they will look
to
qualify internationally for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.


"Mobile is incredibly pleased and honored to be hosting the U.S.
Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing, the USA Boxing Junior National
Championships, and the organization’s Annual Meeting,” added Bud
Ratliff, Executive Director, Mobile Sports Authority. “This area has
a
great sports history and heritage and USA Boxing's decision to hold
such prestigious events here truly validates Mobile as a legitimate
sports destination."


Olympic Trials qualifying began at the 2010 National PAL
Championships
in October, and continued at the 2011 Armed Forces Championships and
recent National Golden Gloves Championships. The champions at those
three events will be joined in Mobile by the top four finishers at
the
2011 USA Boxing National Championships, June 20-25 in Colorado
Springs, Colo., and the 10 champions from the Last Chance Qualifier,
July 3-9 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The full list of participants will be
released the week of July 10 following the last chance tournament.


The three-pronged event in Mobile will allow the Junior Olympic
National Championships participants the opportunity to watch the
sport’s current stars vie for a berth on the 2012 Olympic Team,
providing great motivation for the youngsters who will likely compete
for Olympic spots in 2016. Women’s boxing will make its Olympic debut
in 2012, but the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Women’s Boxing will be
held in early 2012 prior to their international qualifying
tournament.


The event in Mobile will mark the fourth straight Olympic Team Trials
for Boxing event in the southern section of the United States with
the
previous three events taking place in Tampa, Fla., Tunica, Miss., and
Houston, Texas respectively.


USA Boxing, as the national governing body for Olympic-style boxing,
is the United States’ member organization of the International
Amateur
Boxing Association (AIBA) and a member of the United States Olympic
Committee (USOC).