Full Olympic Boxing Roster Finalized

The full roster of Beijing boxing Olympians was finalized with yesterday’s bronze medal matches at the Second Americas Qualifiers in Guatemala City. 258 total pugilists spanning 11 weight classes, 6 continents, and 75 countries.

Russia, the only country sending a full set of 11 boxers, sports the most fearsome and decorated side. At the 2007 World Boxing Championships they won three golds, three silvers, and two bronzes. These fighters will surely go to Beijing as medal favorites.

Four countries will be sending ten pugilists: China, Cuba, and Morocco, and Kazakhstan. The Chinese are not well represented in the professional stage but their current amateur success shows that a future boxing force could emerge. They are led by 26-year-old light flyweight Zou Shiming who won the bronze in Athens 2004 and the gold at last year’s worlds.

Perennial amateur power Cuba did not compete in the 2007 worlds, the first Olympic qualifying tourney, but still managed to send ten fighters to Beijing. The Moroccans are not highly touted, qualifying through the weaker African nations tourneys.

Kazakhstan, however, is poised for success. They look to make a splash in these Olympics just as they have dominated the Asian boxing scene since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Kazakhstan is not they only former Soviet state that boxes well. In fact, 53 of the 258 qualified Olympians come from what was once the U.S.S.R. That’s a little more than 20% of the competition!

If you were confused as to the recent pan-Soviet domination of the professional heavyweight titles now you know it was not a fluke.

As far as the English speaking world, the United States is sending nine boxers, Australia nine, Great Britain eight, Ireland five, Kenya five, Puerto Rico five, Nigeria four, and the U.S. Virgin Islands two. The Bahamas, the Gambia, Canada, South Africa, Uganda, and Samoa are all sending one.

Photo Source: Newscom.com