Colorado Springs, July 10------ Colorado will be represented by 14 boxers with big dreams as the 2010 USA Boxing National Championships get underway on Monday in Colorado Springs.

On the line all week long for the male athletes are berths on the U.S. National Team, and for the women, who look forward to the sport’s inclusion in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, berths in the World Championships In September.

Some 300 boxers arrive tomorrow at the U.S. Olympic Training Center for the week-long event, which returns to the city after a one-year lapse. Colorado Springs has successfully hosted  the National Championships during 21 of the last 23 years.

The National Championships are being presented by the Daniels Fund, along with Gold Sponsor Budweiser, Silver Sponsors KILO 94.3/RXP 103.9, USA Boxing, The Sports Corp, Everlast and Crowne Plaza.

Colorado boxers:

Men

108-  Louie Byrd, Denver

          Michael Benedosso, Colorado Springs (Army)

114-  John Franklin, Fort Carson

123-  Ricky Rodriguez, Evans

          Alexis Ramos, Fort Carson

141-  Dustin Lara, Fort Carson 

165-  Quentin McCoy, Colorado Springs

           Zach Hardrick, Fort Carson

178-  Adam Gentzler, Grand Junction

          Jeffery Spencer, Fountain (Army)

Women

112-  Nicole Pasillas, Aurora

119-  Erica Rosenberg, Fountain

132-  Caroline Barry, Fort Carson (Army)

          Luvisa Matali, Denver

The competitors represent fourteen geographical regions, the four military groups, a squad from the United States Olympic Education Center program at Northern Michigan University, the returning champions, the reigning National PAL Champions as well as a group of boxers who were awarded an independent slot. In addition, female boxers have the option come to the event unattached or compete in their regional tournament and represent their regional team.

Preliminary bouts begin on Monday, with the first five days of competition in Sports Center I at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, including preliminary round competition Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, semifinal action on Thursday, and bronze medal bouts on Friday.

The event will conclude with final round competition on July 17 at 7 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Women’s non-Olympic weight class finals will take place at 4:00 p.m., and the three women’s Olympic weight classes will be contested with the men’s championship bouts at 7 p.m. in a full night of Olympic-style boxing.

Men’s and Women’s Final Round tickets  (July 17-Crowne Plaza Hotel, 7:00 p.m.) are only $15 in advance and will run $20 at the door. www.ticketswest.com

Preferred and VIP tables of ten seats  ($300/$500) are available for purchase through the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation. VIP tables include a special pre-event reception, prime seating and other amenities. Table reservations can be made by contacting Sloane Pavalock at The Sports Corp. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  (719) 634-7333 ext.1009.

Two returning Olympians and six defending champions are scheduled to compete in the premier amateur boxing event in the country as it returns to its home in Colorado Springs.

Two-time Olympian and 2007 World Champion Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio) will continue his run toward history by attempting to become the first U.S. boxer to ever compete in three Olympic Games. He will be joined in Colorado Springs by his 2008 Olympic teammate Raynell Williams (Cleveland, Ohio). Williams will be competing in his first USA Boxing National Championships since the Beijing Olympics. Colorado’s own two-time National Champion Louie Byrd (Denver, Colo.) will enjoy a home state advantage as he vies for his third straight National title, just an hour south of his hometown.

The event will hold special significance for the women’s division as it is the first USA Boxing National Championships since the IOC’s decision to add women’s boxing to the 2012 Olympic Games. The flyweight, lightweight and middleweight divisions will all be contested in London and the United States’ top female boxers will begin staking their claim on the newly named Olympic weight divisions in Colorado Springs. Four-time light flyweight national champion Marlen Esparza (Houston, Texas) has moved up to the flyweight division for the 2010 edition and will look to stake her claim on the new Olympic weight division in Colorado. Defending lightweight champion Patricia Manuel (Gardena, Calif.) and reigning middleweight champion Alyssa DeFazio (Newburgh, N.Y.) are back to defend their titles as well with the 2012 Olympics just two years away.

The USA Boxing National Championships have been held annually since 1888, making it the longest running amateur boxing tournament in the United States, and the event consistently showcases future Olympians and future World Champions. Former champions include Pernell Whitaker, Oscar De La Hoya, Sugar Ray Leonard, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and Muhammad Ali (as Cassius Clay).

National Championships Schedule

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (Olympic Training Center)

12:00-4:00 (Preliminary bouts)

6:00-10:00

Thursday (Olympic Training Center)

12:00-3:00 Women’s Semifinals

5:30-9:00 Men’s and Women’s Semifinals

Friday (Olympic Training Center)

Bronze-medal bouts

4:00-7:00

Saturday

4:00  Women’s Non-Olympic Weight Classes (Crowne Plaza)

7:00  A Night of Future Olympians (3 women’s bouts / 10 men’s bouts)(Crowne Plaza Ballroom