Expert: Melanie Ley - 1/19/2009

Question
hi i was trying to figure out when are the 2009 boxing olympics and where. Also iam 24 125pds starting my amatuer career today just signed up with usa boxing and wanted to know if i had a chance to qualify for the olympic boxing tournament from a  requirment stand point please resond a.s.a.p. thank you

Answer
The next Olympics are in 2012 and will be in England.  Your chances of making the US Olympic boxing team are pretty slim.  Most of the boxer who qualify will have had at least 9 years, or more, experience at the local, national and international levels.  Since you just signed up, it will probably take 6 months to a year (I'm counting training before you have your first bout) to become an "open" boxer (11 or more recorded bouts).  This would leave you approximately 2+ years to try and make the Olympic team.  To qualify for the Olympic Trials, you would have to win one of the following:  the National PAL, National Golden Gloves, the Eastern, Western or Midwestern Trials; win or runner up at the U.S. Championships.