The 2023 Last Chance Qualifier marks as boxers’ final chance to secure their spot at December’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Lafayette, La. Pueblo is poised to welcome nearly 400 boxers from various corners of the nation, with the event scheduled to start Monday, Sept. 11 at the Pueblo Convention Center.
“We look forward to having USA Boxing back at the Pueblo Convention Center to host elite amateur athletes from around the country for the Last Chance Qualifier tournament,” said Pueblo Convention Center General Manager, Kevin Ortiz. “We feel fortunate that USA Boxing has picked us for this great event. The relationship Pueblo has built with USA Boxing has been fantastic and we always love the opportunity to work with them. We are looking forward to a great week of competition.”
“USA Boxing is excited to bring back Olympic-style amateur boxing to the city of Pueblo,” stated Mike McAtee, USA Boxing Executive Director. “We look forward to showcasing the talent the United States has in boxing as we lead into our Olympic Trials this December and next summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.”
Twenty-five boxers will represent Colorado, with 17 of them originating from either Colorado Springs or Pueblo. Notable local boxers who will be competing include Amelia Moore, two-time World Championship team member; Lupe Gutierrez, 2015 Junior World Champion and 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Champion; and Troy Nash, 2023 USA Boxing Summer Festival Champion, who is making his elite debut.
The six-day qualifying event will comprise a competition for both male and females in the youth category (ages 17 to 18) as well as the elite category (ages 19 to 39). The Qualifier is scheduled to feature two sessions per day, at both noon and 6 p.m., from Monday through Thursday, while the sessions on Friday and Saturday will exclusively occur at noon.