The 2016 version of the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions kicks off Monday in Salt Lake City, Utah. The annual tournament of the best amateur boxers in the US features regional winners from the 30 franchises around the US competing in 10 weight classes. Many of the US Olympic boxers in Rio will be former Golden Gloves winners including several from 2015.
Three finalists from last year’s tournament are back for this year. Lawrence King, Jr. of Buffalo will be competing in the 178lb division while Sardius Simmons of Michigan is competing in the 201lb division. Both were runner-up finishers last year. Pablo Ramirez of Texas was named the “Golden Boy” last year after winning the 108lb division and is back to defend his title.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will be used to narrow the fields to eight quarterfinalists in each division. Thursday is the quarterfinals, Friday the semifinals, with the finals on Saturday.
