U.S. Championships - June 2009

[boxmel]

Hi Joey - that's what I've heard, too. The discussion is about where each event will be held. I'm hoping it isn't in one room with 6 or 7 rings - and don't see why they would do that. There isn't enough different sounds for that many rings, for one thing. And there will be AIBA testing and I can't see that happening with a large circus. It will also be hard to get enough officials if all the events are at the same time.

[skinnyman]

Can anyone confirm the dates for the US Championships yet? I read somewhere that it is scheduled for the second week in June but does anyone know for sure yet?

[boxmel]

Was searching through the USAB web site this morning and saw the notification that the tournament would be held the 2nd week in June - I think it's in one of the newsletters - possibly Novembers.

[skinnyman]

I wonder if things have changed and it is no longer the second week of June. It seems like if they knew for sure it would be posted on their event calendar by now.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Me/Dennis/Everyone - do you think it will ever be feasible that USAB gets officials that are a cross section of all the Regions/LBCs? I know that it depends on availability and a bunch of other factors, but it just seems like the officials always come from the same area. Just a pipe dream of mine. . .

[boxmel]

do you think it will ever be feasible that USAB gets officials that are a cross section of all the Regions/LBCs? I know that it depends on availability and a bunch of other factors, but it just seems like the officials always come from the same area.

Okay, let's take the U.S. Championships. There is a cross-section of officials because USAB pays for one regional official, some LBCs send officials and others pay their own way. The AIBA's in attendance are also a cross-section. I'm sure there are more officials from the LBC where the event is being held due to proximity and not having to pay hotel or travel. If that doesn't answer your plea - what did I miss???

[Dennis]

Mel is correct. Some LBC's have money and send several officials while others don't send any.

[skinnyman]

USA Boxing has now announced the finalized dates for the US Championships, June 8-13 in Denver.
Does anyone know when/where the Great Lakes Regional will be yet for the open division?

[boxmel]

And I heard the JOs might be in Tennessee.

[Dennis]

USA Boxing has now announced the finalized dates for the US Championships, June 8-13 in Denver.
Does anyone know when/where the Great Lakes Regional will be yet for the open division?

Yep! Somewhere in Ohio. I think it was Akron, but I could be wrong on the city. It will include the JO's and Senior boxers and it will be held Memorial Day weekend.

[skinnyman]

Thanks Dennis!

[Legend616]

Dennis, is there a qualifying process for the Great Lakes Regional or is it open to any Open divison boxer?

[boxmel]

All boxers advancing to regional tournaments leading to the U.S. Championships must win their LBC tournament first.

[Dennis]

Legend616 - Mel is correct that for Men, they must qualify by winning their LBC tournament to advance to the Regional tournament. There are a few exceptions for the winners of the National PAL, Nat'l Golden Gloves and Armed Forces Championships who all get automatic bids to the U.S. Championships. There are a few other exceptions for elite athletes who will miss their qualifier due to competing in international competition for USA Boxing.

Women - In the past, USAB has allowed women to treat the US Championships as an open invitational and they didn't necessarily have to win their LBC and regional tournaments. I don't know how they are handling it this year.

[boxmel]

Women - In the past, USAB has allowed women to treat the US Championships as an open invitational and they didn't necessarily have to win their LBC and regional tournaments. I don't know how they are handling it this year.

The same. Women can either qualify through their regionals or enter on their own. As always, must be a U.S. citizen and have at least 5 scored bouts in their passbook.

[Dennis]

Women - In the past, USAB has allowed women to treat the US Championships as an open invitational and they didn't necessarily have to win their LBC and regional tournaments. I don't know how they are handling it this year.

The same. Women can either qualify through their regionals or enter on their own. As always, must be a U.S. citizen and have at least 5 scored bouts in their passbook.

Why would the women want to qualify through their regionals unless they are providing travel stipends and covering other expenses for the regional champs?

If the women want to be equal, shouldn't they HAVE to qualify, just like the men? They should not be allowed to just enter the US Championships without winning a qualifier. If USAB wants to allow it to be an "open" tournament for women, then the LBC and Regional tournaments should be for the men only. I don't like it being both ways.

[boxmel]

Why would the women want to qualify through their regionals unless they are providing travel stipends and covering other expenses for the regional champs?

Some regional winners do get their way paid by individual LBCs; most don't.

If the women want to be equal, shouldn't they HAVE to qualify, just like the men?

Has nothing to do with the women "wanting to be equal." Has to do with the structure/procedure as outlined by USAB. Maybe you should email Millman and Madigan your thoughts.

[Legend616]

Dennis, What tournament must you compete in to qualify in Michigan?

[Dennis]

Hey Dennis,
I just got my fact sheet packet on Nationals. How do you feel about USA boxing awarding cash to the senior men but not the women?

It is another example of different treatment for the women.

[Dennis]

Dennis, What tournament must you compete in to qualify in Michigan?

The Michigan Senior Open tournament. It is being held in Port Huron from May 15-17, 2009. The Senior Open tourney is only for open boxers. You have to have a minimum of 5 scored bouts to enter the tournament.

Legend616 - do I know you? How many bouts do you have? What weight class?

[Legend616]

Dennis, What tournament must you compete in to qualify in Michigan?

The Michigan Senior Open tournament. It is being held in Port Huron from May 15-17, 2009. The Senior Open tourney is only for open boxers. You have to have a minimum of 5 scored bouts to enter the tournament.

Legend616 - do I know you? How many bouts do you have? What weight class?

Im Tyler James' brother. He has been training in Las Vegas the past 4 months and was thinking about competing out there, but he decided to come home and fight out of Michigan. I think he will be fighting 119 this year, I don't think he can make 112 for a weeks period anymore. Thanks for the info, hope to see you at some tournaments this year.

[Trained By CHAD]

Hey Dennis,
I just got my fact sheet packet on Nationals. How do you feel about USA boxing awarding cash to the senior men but not the women?

It is another example of different treatment for the women.

of course its different for women. its about product and demand. usa boxing is a business. a non-profit business, but a business none the less. it's bad business to invest into a product that does not give at least an equal return. women's amateur boxing has less tournaments which equals less press which equals less incentive for sponsors to put their money into it. womens boxing will grow when fans and the companies who invest, see the value in the sport.

it would take a lot of work but the value could be created if someone wanted to put the time and effort into it.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Hey Dennis,
I just got my fact sheet packet on Nationals. How do you feel about USA boxing awarding cash to the senior men but not the women?

It is another example of different treatment for the women.

of course its different for women. its about product and demand. usa boxing is a business. a non-profit business, but a business none the less. it's bad business to invest into a product that does not give at least an equal return. women's amateur boxing has less tournaments which equals less press which equals less incentive for sponsors to put their money into it. womens boxing will grow when fans and the companies who invest, see the value in the sport.

it would take a lot of work but the value could be created if someone wanted to put the time and effort into it.

Wow. What year is this? Money for winners has nothing to do on ROI. It should be the same, plain and simple. Value in the sport?. . . I'm really too tired to even tackle this one, but Amy, I guess it does explain what I'm sure you already knew about how the women's side is perceived.

[Dennis]

I'm sure ROI was something people in power stated as a reason for treating women's high school sports differently here in Michigan. A lawsuit using Title IX as the basis went on for many years and the plaintiffs won. The state athletic association (MHSAA) had to change the girls sports seasons and do other things to make them equal.

I am also curious why their is a travel stipend for the juniors but not the senior boxers. USAB is listing the prize money for 1st and 2nd, but in years past it was the top 4 that received the monthly training stipend for the next year.

[boxmel]

Amy, et al - until women's boxing is an Olympic sport (or USAB does some fundraising specifically for the women), they won't be treated the same, especially when it comes to stipends. Just the facts.

I am also curious why their is a travel stipend for the juniors but not the senior boxers.

I thought I saw a statement that this is the last year for any travel stipends, which led me to believe that the seniors are getting it this year, too.

USAB is listing the prize money for 1st and 2nd, but in years past it was the top 4 that received the monthly training stipend for the next year.

The "prize money" is not the same as the monthly training stipends. They are two different entities. The "prize money" goes to the gold and silver medalist; the monthly training stipends go to the top 4 ranked in each weight class.