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Comprehensive 2024 US National Boxing Team Roster Breakdown

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This Olympic year has been a strange one for USA Boxing, largely because the Olympic Trials didn’t have much significance. None of the U.S. Olympians competed in the Trials, as the team was built around the 2021-2022 competition results and some of the athletes gained significant international experience.

That different team vigorous made the 2023 Olympic qualifying less invigorating, leading to the absence of fighters like lightweight heavyweight Nathan Lugo, flyweight Terry Washington and Sierra Martinez, all of whom won the qualifiers but did not make the team.

The fresh format will either be a huge success or the subject of endless questions for the future.

Below is a breakdown of the 2024 U.S. National Boxing Team roster:

Roscoe Hill – 51 kilograms / 112 pounds

  • Background: Born and raised in Spring, Texas, Hill, 28, trained at George Foreman’s gym under the legendary weightlifter. At 28, Hill is older than the average Olympian.
  • Achievements: Hill won a gold medal at the 2022 AMBC Elite Championships, silver at the 2021 Elite World Championships and bronze at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago.
  • Comparison: Awkward and untraditional, much like Prince Naseem Hamed, Hill also reminds many of Rau’shee Warren, though he lacks the latter’s blinding hand speed. He has good movement and can time his opponents well.
  • Expectancy: Flyweight is a good division for USA Boxing. With no clear favorites in the bracket, Hill’s international experience makes him a dim horse for gold. His performance could test the viability of the current team selection model, given his marathon qualification path (he qualified in his final event for the Olympics).
  • Insight into brackets: Hill has a tough road ahead of him, with potential quarterfinal matches against top-seeded Billal Bennama of France and Alejandro Claro of Cuba. Overcoming those obstacles could lead to a medal.

Jahmal Harvey – 57 kilograms/125 pounds

  • Background: Originally from Oxon Hill, Maryland, 21-year-old Harvey made the transition from American football to boxing under the guidance of his coach.
  • Achievements: Harvey won gold at the 2021 Elite World Championships and the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, securing a spot at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
  • Comparison: Harvey, with multiple national championship gold medals, is poised to become a star on Team USA, much like Errol Spence Jr., Shakur Stevenson and Keyshawn Davis did at previous Olympics. Harvey is a boxer who most expect to be a standout professional.
  • Expectancy: As USA Boxing’s best hope for a gold medal, Harvey is aiming for a Triple Crown win. He is the favorite in the featherweight division.
  • Insight into brackets: Harvey faces a deep bracket, with potentially tough early matches against Saidel Horta of Cuba and Javier Ibáñez of Bulgaria. A gold-medal match against Abdumalik Khalokov of Uzbekistan is likely if all goes well.

Omari Jones – 71 kilograms / 156 pounds

  • Background: Jones, 20, burst onto the international stage by winning silver at the 2021 Elite World Championships.
  • Achievements: Jones recently qualified for Paris 2024 by winning gold at the 2023 GeeBee International Tournament and the Czech Republic Grand Prix.
  • Comparison: Jones’s style recalls the awkwardness of Ra’eese Aleem, with elements of a teenage Maurice Hooker and Erickson Lubin.
  • Expectancy: Although Jones has a style more suited to professionals, he is likely to medal, potentially challenging for heavyweights. He has been consistent in international competition since 2021.
  • Insight into brackets: Jones faces a tough division, but if he gets past Kan Chia-wei, he has favorable matchups. Key threats include Marco Verde, Nishant Dev, Sewon Okazawa, and Nikolai Terteryan.

Joshua Edwards – 92 kilograms and over / 203 pounds and over

  • Background: Despite being undersized for a super heavyweight, Houston’s Edwards stands out for his speed and defense.
  • Achievements: Edwards secured his place at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris by winning gold at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago and winning numerous medals internationally.
  • Comparison: Edwards’ style and demeanor are reminiscent of Steve Cunningham.
  • Expectancy: With Bakhodir Jalolov the clear favourite, Edwards is a promising contender who has a tough road ahead of him.
  • Insight into brackets: Edwards benefits from the No. 1 seed, which gives him a chance to avoid Jalolov until the semifinals. Despite Edwards’ talent, defeating Jalolov will be tough.

Jennifer Lozano – 50 kilograms / 110 pounds

  • Background: Lozano, a native of Laredo, Texas, took up boxing to fight tyranny, which resulted in a successful amateur career.
  • Achievements: Lozano won silver at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago and gold at the 2022 USA Boxing Elite Championships.
  • Comparison: Like Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz, Lozano has the ability to land high punches and has done well on the international stage.
  • Expectancy: Lozano should win a medal, but she faces a tough match in the quarterfinals against favorite Buse Naz Cakiroglu.
  • Insight into brackets: Cakiroglu, considered one of the best women at these Olympics, poses a challenge for Lozano.

Alyssa Mendoza – 57 kilograms / 125 pounds

  • Background: Mendoza, a 20-year-old from Caldwell, Idaho, has quickly become a promising international star.
  • Achievements: Mendoza went on to win multiple medals in 2023, including gold at the 2022 USA Boxing Elite National Championships.
  • Comparison: Mendoza’s style combines aggression with boxing skills, similar to Shawn Porter’s style.
  • Expectancy: Mendoza is a star who has the potential to win a medal if he stays consistent.
  • Insight into brackets: With no clear favorite, Mendoza could win a medal, or even gold, if she performs like she did two years ago.

Jajaira Gonzalez – 60 kilograms / 132 pounds

  • Background: Hailing from Glendora, California, Gonzalez returned to boxing in 2021 after a hiatus to quickly regain her form.
  • Achievements: Gonzalez won a bronze medal at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago and multiple gold medals at the junior and youth level.
  • Comparison: A high guard and very aggressive fighter, similar to her brother, professional Joet Gonzalez.
  • Expectancy: Gonzalez has the potential to win gold, but she faces sturdy competition from Estelle Moseley, Beatriz Ferreira and Kellie Harrington.
  • Insight into brackets: This will be a tough match as Gonzalez will start with Moseley and will find himself in the bracket with Ferreira and Harrington.

Morelle McCane – 66 kilograms / 145 pounds

  • Background: McCane, of Cleveland, is the first female boxer from Ohio to qualify for the Olympics.
  • Achievements: McCane secured her place at the Olympics by winning a silver medal at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago.
  • Comparison: McCane has been compared to Terrell Gausha due to her boxing and striking skills.
  • Expectancy: With a sturdy chance of winning a medal, McCane has a chance of winning gold, most likely competing against Imane Khelif and Busenaz Sürmeneli.
  • Insight into brackets: As is often the case in life, Khelif and Sürmeneli found themselves on the opposite side of McCane’s ladder.

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Boxing

Tyson’s conqueror, Danny Williams, was “never considered” for Morrison

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Kenzie Morrison Danny Williams

World Boxing News has learned that Danny Williams was never considered for a fight against Tommy Morrison’s son Kenzie on November 9.

WBN has learned from a source that Williams was scheduled to face Morrison next month when he returns to action at Firelake Arena in Shawnee. However, promoter Tony Holden confirmed what WBN initially reported, namely that Williams had been offered for the fight.

BoxRec also briefly placed Williams within Morrison’s record on November 9, before removing the former British champion. Williams famously knocked out Mike Tyson in 2004, but has since lived off his victory despite losing his British license more than a decade ago.

Holden, who represents Morrison and is looking for an opponent for the competition in three weeks, explained the situation exclusively to WBN.

“I never confirmed William’s story and I never considered him,” Holden said. “I said no when a local promoter suggested it.”

Williams, 51, last fought in August 202, losing for the 33rd time in his career. With 88 professional fights under his belt, Williams seems unable to turn down a payday despite his advanced age.

Morrison, a power puncher who has stopped 19 of his 21 wins, will look for his next conquest elsewhere. The fight with Mike Balogun remains on the table for 2025 after it was postponed from its original October date.

Balogun, who knocked out Kenzi’s brother Trey in the first round, claimed Morrison was pulled from the fight to spare him the loss.

Holden denies this view.

“Even though this post isn’t up to my standards, I’m going to write it anyway. Mike Balogun falsely claimed that I pulled Kenzie Morrison out of the fight because I was afraid he would lose. Please allow me to correct you, Mr. Balogun,” he stated.

“The decision was not made by Kenzie. Let’s raise the stakes and make it fascinating. If you emerge victorious this month, Kenzie will fight in November.

“We may decide this early next year. If your confidence remains unshaken, we can place a significant bet. Watch Kenzie take revenge on her brother and end your career.

Balogun, a former San Francisco 49ers linebacker, responded to Holden by increasing his salary for a potential collision next year.

“No matter how fair and honorable your decision was, just remember that ‘yesterday’s price is not today’s price,’” said the 2010 undrafted pick.

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Andrew Moloney is confident that if given the chance, he would have beaten Phumelele Cafu and Kosei Tanaka

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Andrew Moloney (left) attacks Pedro Guevara – photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Few people were more disappointed than Andrew Moloney when Kosei Tanaka lost his WBO super flyweight belt to Phumelele Cafu at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on Monday night.

The 33-year-old Australian veteran was hoping to get a shot at beating Tanaka in the lucrative Japanese market.

Those dreams were dashed when South Africa’s Cafu delivered the performance of his life, knocking out Tanaka in the fifth round and finishing the fight strongly, beating the four-weight world champion by split decision.

“The plan was to target the WBO and really chase the Tanaka fight, but it all fell apart on Monday night,” Moloney (26-4-1NC, 16 KO) told The Ring. “I think the WBO is probably still the direction we go, but I’m not sure if they have a rematch clause or if Tanaka will take it. But after watching the fight yesterday, I would be really confident that I could fight one of these guys and win. We would like to follow this path.

“I would love to fight Tanaka in Japan as a four-division world champion. He’s definitely someone I’ve looked up to and wanted to fight for a long time.

“Last night was a little hard to watch. The way he performed, I’m more confident than ever that I have what it takes to beat Tanaka.

I assume there will be a rematch and I hope that Tanaka will regain the belt and I will be able to return to the ring and climb the rankings, and maybe this fight will still happen.

Tanaka entered Moloney’s orbit four years ago when he debuted at 115 pounds. Earlier this year, it looked like they were also on a collision course, with Moloney being number one in the WBO rankings. However, when an offer was made for the vacant IBF lightweight title fight between Vasily Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. in May in Perth, Western Australia, Moloney felt he couldn’t turn her down.

This decision ended in disaster. Moloney faced Carlos Cuadras, who withdrew from the fight with a ruptured Achilles tendon and was replaced by Pedro Guevara. Moloney entered the fight with a torn bicep and was largely reduced to boxing with one hand, which circumscribed his punching power.

Still, Moloney felt he did more than enough to win, and was shocked when Guevara was declared the winner by split decision. He was so disappointed that he announced immediately after the fight that he was leaving the ring, but a few days later he withdrew these comments.

It was a breakthrough moment in his career.

“Looking back, it’s a wonderful thing, but watching the Tanaka-Cafu fight made me think that maybe I would do a lot of things if I could turn back time a little bit,” Moloney explained.

“Before my last fight, I was number one in the WBO rankings and I rejected the option of waiting to fight Tanaka. But the opportunity arose to fight Guevara in Australia for the interim WBC title on a major card, and to be candid, I kind of regretted that the Tanaka fight was hanging in the balance, but ultimately we decided to stay busy and take the opportunity to fight in Australia.

“Also, the injury before the fight was another thing I thought about: will I undergo surgery, keep the top spot and wait for Tanaka, but I made the decision to go ahead with the fight with Guevara. Looking back now, maybe it wasn’t the smartest thing to do. And looking at the way Tanaka fought last night, I thought maybe I should have waited. I’m sure I could beat Tanaka and take the belt away from him.

“So I take some consolation, but unfortunately you can’t turn back time.”

It’s been a frustrating year for Moloney, but he’s still hitting the gym and his team is working to get him another fight. The window of opportunity to box again this year is closing quickly, but he still hopes to return to the ring in December, most likely in his native Australia.

“I really hope so,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been working on. I have been training strenuous at the gym for some time, quite a few months. I hope to return before the end of the year.

“At this stage it will probably be December. I’m trying to block something, but so far no luck. I’m still training away as if the fight was to take place in December, the team is currently working on it and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll be able to finish it.

“I just hope we can get out before the end of the year, get back into the winner’s circle and start climbing the rankings again.”

Moloney, who fought at bantamweight for the first three years of his professional career before dropping down to super flyweight, surprisingly, said he would even consider moving up to another weight class given the right opportunity.

“It’s a tough time in the super flyweight division,” said Moloney, the eighth challenger to The Ring’s 115-pound title. “There’s a lot going on and it’s always strenuous to plan which route to take because everything changes so quickly. I’d pick Bam Rodriguez to beat Guevara, then there’s talk of a rematch between Kazuto Ioka and Fernando Martinez on Up-to-date Year’s Eve. And then there’s talk of Bama, if they win, fighting the winner of that game in unification. The WBO seems to me the fastest way to win the title, so that’s the path we will follow.

“We have also rejected for some time the idea of ​​moving up to flyweight and getting crack there. There’s also some engaging scene going on there right now, but it’s still uncertain. I’d probably feel a little better at super flyweight, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens with Cafu and Tanaka, but like I said, I’d feel comfortable and confident against either of them, so hopefully he can make it it will happen sooner rather than later.”

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Doubts that fuel 19-year-old Benjamin Johnson

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Despite an impressive amateur resume, welterweight Benjamin Johnson of Springdale, Maryland, enters the professional ring with a shoulder injury.

Johnson will face Kevin Pantoja in a four-round fight at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland, promoted by his trainer Lamont Roach Snr’s NoXcuses Promotions. The fight will be broadcast on Saturday on ProBox TV.

Johnson, 1-0 (1 KO), spent just 2:23 in the ring in his professional debut, displaying the quick, aggressive hands that won him multiple national titles. However, 19-year-old Johnson feels an advantage, believing he is being overlooked by his NoXcuses Boxing Gym teammates.

Pantoja, 1-1, 27, has never stopped being a professional – Johnson aims to change that.

“People underestimate me,” Johnson said. “It’s been like that since I was an amateur.”

He added that this underestimation increases his motivation in the gym. Johnson is determined to prove his worth not only to himself, but also to those who doubt him or, worse, don’t recognize him. “I never felt like I was recognized as that guy, so I feel like I’m underappreciated,” Johnson said of his amateur and now professional career.

Johnson sees the fight as a key step in his career, compared to feared forward David Benavidez by some teammates and touted by others as one of the most ready-to-fight prospects in the country.

“I train as much as I can,” Johnson said. “It’s about making a statement. The way you win shows people what you’re capable of, and I’m ready to show my best.

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