It would be a shame if only 7 boxers were to compete in the trials, but after a long time and many changes, this is the system that USA Boxing finally decided on for the trial selction. I don't believe it has a contingency for a situation like that. This same thing could happen with any of the Pan Am boxers and was part of the reason for some boxers not competeing after they made the quarter finals at the USA Championships.
You can't garrantee anything in a sport where injury is possible. Like Mel I just hope that USA Boxing continues to make safety a main priority, even as we get close to the trials. It has to be hard coordinating all the compition dates and still do the best thing for the athlete. The trials needed to happen on the 20th of Aug and I believe everyone was glad they weren't in the end of July in Fla. But I am sure that the Pan Am boxer would have liked to had 6-8 weeks to get ready for the trial, it just couldn't work out that way.
WHO ARE THE FAVORITES FOR THE OLYMPIC TEAM NOW
Hal - there may be boxers that won't be at the trials because of boxing in the Pan Ams. I thought the same with the Nat'l GG and the US Championships. Jonte Willis was knocked out by a right hand to the head at the Nat'l GG on May 4th. Somehow he didn't get an RSC-H which would have given him a 30 day suspension and kept him out of the US Championships which started June 2nd. Jonte actually had his first bout at the US Chp on June 3rd. He lost his second bout on a tie-breaker which he had to win to make the Trials Box-offs.