AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. (AP) — Christina Cruz and Queen Underwood both devoted their lives to boxing several years before women had any hope of Olympic glory.
They pursued their sport on love and faith, determined to be prepared for any opportunity to make a career out of fighting.
That opportunity arrives this week at the first U.S. Olympic team trials for women’s boxing. Over the next week at a casino outside Spokane, 24 fighters will compete for just three spots and the chance to earn an Olympic berth at the world championships.
Cruz and Underwood aren’t thinking about the history they’re making this week. They’re focused on the opportunity created three years ago when the IOC finally added women’s boxing to the London Games, albeit in just three weight classes with 36 total competitors.
