Does the USA have a strong Olympic boxing team? Breaking down United States boxers at Paris 2024 Games

2024-07-26
5 min read
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Even though the U.S. boxing team had a successful Games at Tokyo 2020, it has been a baron spell for the country over the past two decades at Olympic level. Team USA will be looking for an upswing at Paris 2024.

In Japan, the U.S. took three silver medals (Duke Ragan, Keyshawn Davis, and Richard Torrez) and a bronze (Oshae Jones). That performance was deemed solid, but it was far from a banner year when you consider how successful Team USA once was in the sport.

MORE: When do the Olympics start? Full dates and schedule for Paris 2024

Former two-weight world champion Andre Ward was the last male to win Olympic gold for the U.S. at Athens 2004. The self-proclaimed GWOAT, Claressa Shields, stopped the rot in 2012 and 2016, making history as a double gold medalist.

Can Team USA come close to matching the success of the celebrated 1984 team that took nine golds, one silver and one bronze in Los Angeles this summer?

The Sporting News looks at the individuals who will represent the USA at Paris 2024.

Joshua Edwards

  • Weight class: Men's super heavyweight

At 6-3 and 220 pounds, Edwards became the final entry for Team USA. The 24-year-old switch hitter from Houston won gold at the Pan Am Games and is known for his speed and adept movement.

Jajaira Gonzalez

  • Weight class: Women's lightweight

Gonzalez, 27, has been pursuing her Olympic dream for longer than most. After finishing second in the 2016 trials, she missed a spot in the Rio Games and had stepped away from the sport by the time 2020 came along. The native of Glendora, California, was granted a spot after moving from featherweight to lightweight.

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Jahmal Harvey

  • Weight class: Men's featherweight

The 21-year-old Harvey is one of the most exciting young stars of Team USA. Hailing from Oxon Hill, Maryland, the quick-fisted Harvey took gold at the 2021 World Championships in Belgrade and he's a strong medal hope for Paris. Keep your eyes peeled.

Roscoe Hill

  • Weight class: Men's flyweight

There's an interesting backstory on Hill. The 28-year-old comes from a boxing family, with his father having trained alongside former two-time heavyweight champion George Foreman. The Springs, Texas, star now seeks to replicate Big George's success at Mexico '68, when he claimed gold.

Omari Jones

  • Weight class: Men's welterweight

Known as "Banger", Jones took silver at the 2021 World Championships. Fighting out of Orlando, Florida, the 21-year-old is a good mover and a sharp counterpuncher, but he can mix it up when the moment moves him. Prior experience at the international level stands him in good stead for Paris.

Jennifer Lozano

  • Weight class: Women’s flyweight

Lozano made history for her home city when she became the first native of Laredo, Texas, to qualify for the Olympic Games. The 21-year-old flyweight star began boxing at age nine and qualified for Paris by scooping silver at the Pan Am Games last year.

Morelle McCane

  • Weight class: Women's welterweight

Experienced and confident, McCane heads to Paris in solid form after claiming three medals at international tournaments in 2023. The 29-year-old hails from Cleveland and is now a nine-time national champion and a four-time Golden Gloves winner.

Alyssa Mendoza

  • Weight class: Women's featherweight

Mendoza, 20, scored a first-round win at a world qualifier in March and then secured her place in Team USA with a string of unanimous decision wins at the final qualifying event. Fighting out of Caldwell, Idaho, she's the youngest member of the team.