Avenal's Ramirez, Team USA Head to Brazil for Final Olympic Qualifier

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

 Avenal's Ramirez takes the final step toward punching his trip to London. (Team Ramirez)

After three and a half years of struggle, sacrifice, and success, the U.S. Men’s National Team heads to the Maracanazinho in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the AIBA Americas Continental Olympic Qualifier from May 4-13.  A high enough finish in the tournament will lead to ultimate entry into the London Games.

A total of 38 Olympic berths will be spread across ten weight classes.  Nations from North, Central, and South America will compete for them.  Out of the 10 members in Team USA, three have already qualified by reaching the quarterfinals of last year’s AIBA World Championships (flyweight Rau’shee Warren, bantamweight Joseph Diaz Jr., and welterweight Errol Spence Jr.).

RELATED: Boxing Barista Jose Ramirez is America's Best Lightweight

Region 11's Jose Ramirez (King's Gym, Avenal) is America's lightweight representative.

“He's been working hard for this all his life, and now it's time for him to make that final step," said Ramirez' coach, Armando Mancinas.  "I have no doubt that he's ready for whatever challenges arise in Brazil."

Per USA Boxing’s Julie Goldsticker, here is the current qualification status for each member of the team:

LIGHT FLYWEIGHT/108 LBS.:
Santos Vazquez (Sparks, NV) – Needs Top 3 Finish

FLYWEIGHT/114 LBS.:
Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, OH) – Already Qualified Through 2011 World Championships

BANTAMWEIGHT/123 LBS.:
Joseph Diaz Jr. (S. El Monte, CA) – Already Qualified Through 2011 World Championships

LIGHTWEIGHT/132 LBS.:

Jose Ramirez (Avenal, CA) – Needs Top 4 Finish

LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT/141 LBS.:
Jamel Herring (Coram, NY) – Needs Top 5 Finish

WELTERWEIGHT/152 LBS.:
Errol Spence Jr. (DeSoto, TX) – Already Qualified Through 2011 World Championships

MIDDLEWEIGHT/165 LBS.:
Terrell Gausha (Cleveland, OH) – Needs Top 5 Finish

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT/178 LBS.:
Marcus Browne (Staten Island, NY) – Needs Top 4 Finish

HEAVYWEIGHT/201 LBS.:
Michael Hunter (Las Vegas, NV) – Needs Top 3 Finish

SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT/201+ LBS.:
Dominic Breazeale (Alhambra, CA) – Needs Top 3 Finish

Ryan Maquiñana writes a weekly column for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (CSNBayArea.com). He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his blog at norcalboxing.net or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.

LINK: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=52348#ixzz1tUbgAozD