Boxing World Qualification Tournament: When, Where, and How to Watch

Two months into the Olympic year, the boxing industry is ready to mark its first steps in hopes of nearing dreams at the stages of Paris 2024. Starting on March 3rd, the finest of the boxing Olympic hopefuls will make their way to E-Work Arena in Busto Arsizio for the year’s first Boxing World qualification tournament.

With a stellar lineup, an impressive number of quotas, and heightened anticipation of the results, here’s a look at the details necessary to catch up on the exciting action.

Catch the Boxing World Qualification action

From the 3rd of March to the 11th, Busto Arsizio in northern Italy will witness 668 athletes from 114 NOCs performing to attain their dreams. The numbers will further include the Boxing Refugee Team and two Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) with a Belarusian passport. The participants will battle it out for the 49 Paris Olympics quotas available across 13 categories: 28 for men and 21 for women. One can catch the action live on the official website of the Olympics.com.

Furthermore, enthusiasts from the USA can avail the viewing access through USA Boxing’s official website as well. Athlete 365 boxing, an initiative by the IOC will also act as a source of updates as the action proceeds on March 3rd, Sunday.

W60kg, M63.5kg, M71kg, and M51kg, M92+kg will frame sessions 1 and 2 on the launch day of the Boxing World Qualification, while March 11th will host all 13 categories for the final round. Now, as the event nears in accordance with the Olympics’ qualification system, here’s a look at the athletes to keep an eye on.

A thrilling showdown awaits

Philippines’ Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, the Tokyo 2020 Silver medalists, will frame the first of the lot in Olympic hopefuls. On the other side, Ireland’s Aidan Walsh, the 2020 bronze medalist, joins seven more of the Tokyo medalists in hopes of a second consecutive Olympic qualification. While the previous champions arrive to retain, more will arrive with fierceness to claim their first quota.

First on the list is the USA’s Roscoe Hill in men’s 51kg trained in former Olympian George Foreman’s gym. Legnis Calá and Yakelín Estornell in women’s 57kg and 66kg respectively, will be hoping to make history as the first Cuban female boxers qualifying for the Olympics. In the inspirational journey category, Owain Harris-Allan, who won the 2022 Commonwealth just 2 years after losing his mother and grandmother, will be a part of the UK roster. Further on the list is Amina Martha Faki, who rose against an abusive environment and will be hoping for glory in 54kg.

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The list will further grow to include inspirational names, however, the quota will stand in favor of only 49. Nonetheless, a second World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, in May will stand to welcome deserved athletes missing out on the first opportunity.

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