The qualifying tournament for the United States national boxing team that will vie for 2016 Olympics spots will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 5 at the Chattanooga Convention Center, local officials announced today.
About 250 boxers in 10 weight classes are expected for the competition, and two of those taking part are from Chattanooga's Y-CAP boxing program: lightweight Roger Hiller and light flyweight Slade Corvin. Those two were introduced by Y-CAP coach Andy Smith at the announcement news conference.
The news conference was hosted by Y-CAP regional director Joe Smith, a former team manager for U.S. men's and women's national contingents. Among the other attendees were Tim Morgan, president of the Chattanooga Sports Committee, and Bob Doak from the Chattanooga Visitors & Convention Bureau.
The U.S. men's team will be determined through the Chattanooga competition. Then the boxers will enter various international events in 2015 and 2016 to earn Olympic spots in their respective weight classes.
USA Boxing representatives contacted Joe Smith, he said, when the planned site for the tournament "fell through."
See Mark Wiedmer's column in Wednesday's Times Free Press for more information.