Paris 2024 Olympics: 3 Boxers That Could Win Gold For USA
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There was a time when the USA dominated Olympic boxing. Between 1976 and 1988, U.S. fighters made the podium in 26 of 35 divisions, winning 17 gold medals. Lately, it has been a tough go though. The United States has won only 10 medals since 2004. Claressa Shields is the only American to win gold in that span. But that could all change this year in Paris.
Read about three potential American boxers that could win gold for Team USA:
Joshua Edwards: Men’s Heavyweight
Houston native Joshua Edwards is six-foot-three and weighs in at 200 pounds. He considers defense and speed his greatest attributes in the ring. Edwards is the first super heavyweight boxer from Houston to qualify for the Olympic Games since George Foreman. He also won gold at the 2023 Pan-Ams. Edwards also placed first at the 2021 USA Boxing Elite National Championships. He then placed third at the 2022 A.M.B.C. Elite Championships, making him a formidable opponent in the ring. The former high school basketball player decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and fight inside the squared circle. Edwards has the tools to be a pro fighter, but will need to be sharp in his chase for gold.
Omari Jones: Men’s Welterweight
21-year-old Omari Jones was the only American boxer to secure a quota at the Busto Arsizio Tournament. He secured his Olympic quota courtesy of a nail-biting split decision win over India’s Nishant Dev. Despite being cut, he showed great toughness, coupled with his aggressive style to get the win. In 2021, he won the silver medal at the Elite Men’s World Championships. He followed that up by placing first at the 2022 USA Boxing International Invitational. Nicknamed “The Banger,” Jones has turned into a wonder kid on the American boxing circuit with wins over Olympians, Wanderson de Oliviera and Sewonrets Okazawa.
Jajaira Gonzalez: Women’s Lightweight
Following multiple Olympic setbacks, the former teen boxing prodigy, Jajaira Gonzalez will make her way to the Paris Games now at the age of 27. She won gold at the Junior World Championships, the Youth World Championships, and the 2014 Youth Olympics. Later, she placed second in the 2016 Olympic Trials. But she took a four-year hiatus from 2018 to 2021 to tend to her mental health, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Returning to the ring, she feels her defense has improved, along with the importance of slipping punches. Most recently, she won bronze in the 2023 Pan-Ams. Gonzalez is must-watch this year as she stands on business to prove she could bring home the gold medal.
Which Team USA boxer are you most looking forward to watching this year at the 2024 Paris Olympics? Let us know in the comments below.
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