Expert: Melanie Ley - 3/19/2007

Question
hello, my son is 8yrs old and is boxing at the local gym. and really likes it. I would like to know more about boxing for kids he is like 60lbs. And he wants to go to tournments and compete.if there is any info you could tell me. about weight classes. is there tournments for kids his size?age? im new to boxing we are Wresters.But he has really took to boxing . So i would like to find out as much as possable about the subject we live in albany,Oregon  thank you so much,John

Answer
Hi John - I'm surprised your son's coach doesn't know the answers to your questions.  8-)  8 and 9 year olds can only box at the local level - shows and tournaments.  When he turns 10, he will be eligible for the Silver Gloves national tournament, providing he wins his local, state and regional tournaments and he can also participate in the annual Ringside tournament.  There are several other national tournaments he can participate in when he turns 13 - National PAL and Junior Golden Gloves.  He'll be eligible for the national Junior Olympic tournament when he turns 15.  What weight class he competes in will be determined by how much he weighs.  The USA Boxing divisions and weights are as follows:

(a) Age divisions and weight classes. The Junior Olympic program will consist of four age divisions.
(1) Bantam Division, ages 8, 9 and 10 years. Only competition at the LBC club/tournament level is allowed, with the exception of non-advancing national tournaments.
Advancement to regional or national competition is prohibited.

(a) Bantam Division (local) 8-year-olds can only box 8- and 9-year olds at LBC club events.
Weights: Any beginning weight, with five-pound increments.
Length of rounds: Three one-minute rounds, one minute between rounds.

(2) Junior Division, ages 11-12 years.
Weights: 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 101, 106, 110, 114, 119, 125,132, 138, 145 lbs.
Length of rounds: Three one-minute rounds, one minute between rounds.

(3) Intermediate Division, ages 13-14 years.
Weights: 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 101, 106, 110, 114, 119, 125, 132,138, 145, 154, 165, 176, 189, 201 lbs.
Length of rounds: Three 1.5- minute rounds, one minute between rounds.

(4) Senior Junior Olympic Divisions, ages 15-16 years.
Weights: 80, 85, 90, 95, 101, 106, 110, 114, 119, 125, 132, 138,145, 154, 165, 176, 189, 201, 201+ lbs.
Length of rounds: Three two-minute rounds, one minute between rounds.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask or email me at mel@amateurboxing.com.