COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 28, 2022) — USA Boxing announced today the first USA Boxing International Invitational will take place Sept. 12-15 in Pueblo, Colo. at the Pueblo Convention Center.
The international event is expected to bring over 10 different countries to Colorado to compete against the top elite boxers from Team USA. Countries scheduled to send teams include China, France, Germany and Philippines, with rosters including Olympians and World Championship medalists. Complete country rosters will be announced in the coming weeks.
“On behalf of the City of Pueblo, we are excited to welcome these world-class athletes from around the world and to show them all the great things our community has to offer,” said Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar. “The City of Pueblo is proud to be chosen by USA Boxing for the 2022 International Invitation and we hope to have them back in Pueblo for this event for many years to come.”
“USA Boxing is thrilled to bring our first international event in four years to the city of Pueblo, Colorado,” stated Matt Johnson, USA Boxing High Performance Director. “Our elite team will be put to the test against some of the world’s best Olympic-style boxers. We look forward to this challenge and representing the United States on our home soil.”
Team USA, which is coming off three successful major international competitions to start this Olympic quad, will field multiple boxers in each of the 13 different Olympic weight classes to continue to gain valuable international experience in the leadup to the 2024 Olympic Games. The American delegation is anticipated to include all five 2021 and 2022 World Championship medalists, including World Champions Rashida Ellis (Lynn, Mass.), Rahim Gonzales (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Jahmal Harvey (Oxon Hill, Md.). Full team roster will be announced following a selection camp at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. scheduled for July 31 – Sept. 2.
Competition will take place during two sessions, starting at 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., beginning Monday, Sept. 12 until Wednesday, Sept. 14. The championship bouts will be contested on Thursday, Sept. 15 starting at 11:00 a.m. The event will be open to the public or can be watched via livestream on USABoxing.org.
This marks the first international competition USA Boxing has hosted on American soil in four years when they hosted the 2018 Youth Continental Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo. The event is the first elite international event since the 2007 Elite Men’s World Championships were held in Chicago.
Updates for the competition will be posted on usaboxing.org.