Trainer Bob Santos has described the Olympic Games as “great” for the sport as Team USA prepares to launch its medal bid in Paris on Saturday.
With eight boxers representing Team USA at the Games, lightweight fighter Jajaira Gonzalez of Glendale, California, will get the team started against the experienced Estelle Mossely of France, and Santos believes it’s an opportunity for every athlete to showcase their talents.
“Well, you know what, I think everybody that’s part of the team has an opportunity,” Santos told BoxingScene. “That’s the great thing about the Olympics. You never know what’s gonna happen. Obviously, it will turn out well, but everyone has an opportunity.
“It’s the work that they put in and if they can handle the moment. Can you handle the pressure of the Olympics and things of that nature? And we’ll see how it turns out, but I’m excited. I’m a huge fan of the Olympics – I think it’s great for boxing, that’s for sure.”
Team USA won four medals in boxing at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Lightweight prospect Keyshawn Davis, Duke Regan and Richard Torrez Jr. all won silver medals; Oshae Jones finished with a bronze.
In Paris, Maryland’s Jahmal Harvey – a 2021 world championships featherweight gold medalist – is one of Team USA’s biggest hopes. However, the likes of Omari Jones (welterweight), Roscoe Hill (flyweight), Joshua Edwards (super heavyweight), Jennifer Lozano (flyweight), Alyssa Mendoza (featherweight), and Morelle McCane (welterweight) will have their chance at making a name for themselves.
“I know Team USA is as strong as the Cubans in the past,” Santos said. “And for me, I’ve been in the professional ranks for long. It’s been a while [since I paid significant attention to amateur boxing]. I took a couple of kids to the Olympic Trials way back in the day.
“I’m familiar with the Olympics. I’ve had many Olympians that I’ve coached, so I’m familiar with it for sure. My expectation of the United States is always high – that they should settle for nothing less.”
When asked if Team USA presenting just eight fighters at the Olympics represents a decline in amateur boxing, Santos responded: “Well, at the end of the day, sending less fighters, you gotta qualify whether you are American or not. So yeah, you can make Team USA but you still gotta qualify. You’ve got to earn it 100 percent – no two ways about that. Nothing can be given.”
Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” back in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at [email protected].
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