Coaches Ed Rivas (San Antonio, Texas) and Jason Galarza (Orlando, Fla.) lead Team USA to an eventful 2013 Independence Cup held in Santiago, Dominican Republic, February 18th to 22nd, with Dr. Robin Goodfellow (Albion, Mich.) serving as the squad’s Team Manager and Physician.
This being the first multi-nation tournament of 2013, Team USA wasted no time in letting the entire world know the U.S. fully intends to again be considered THE force in ‘Olympic Style’ (amateur) boxing.
Following a preparatory training camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Rivas, Galarza and USA Boxing International Teaching Coach Dr. Pedro Roque Otano joined forces, the final outcome speaks for itself as the USA finished second in overall team points bringing home 2-Gold, 3-Silver and 2-Bronze Medals in the 2013 Independence Cup Tournament.
The 2013 Independence Cup marks the beginning of a busy International schedule for USA Boxing as well as being the first major International event in 2013.
In a letter sent to both congratulate the Team USA Independence Cup participants for a fantastic showing and ask for your continued support by USA Boxing President Dr. Charles Butler, there remains a tepid atmosphere from some USA Boxing membership.
Having been more than lucky to gain a generous anonymous Floridian to sponsor the first International venture of 2013 should have garnered much more enthusiasm than has been offered.
Coming in second to a squad comprised predominantly of 2012 Cuban Olympic Team members and having 17 years-old Erickson Lubin (Orlando, Florida) the gold medalist at 141 lbs. is quite astonishing.
Traveling with only 8 members (6 men and 2 women) and have 7 return home with medals, this 2013 Team USA Independence Cup squad is something to be proud of especially considering we are a mere 6 months out from a horrific 2012 Olympic Games boxing experience.
Both female competitors, lightweight Queen Underwood (Seattle, Washington) and middleweight Raquel Miller (San Francisco, California) secured bronze medals while the men showed a new spirit as Leroy Davila (New Brunswick, New Jersey) at 108 lbs., Kenneth Sims, Jr. (Chicago, Illinois) at 132 lbs. and Rashidi Ellis (Lynn, Massachusettes) at 152 lbs. all brought home silver medals.
The 2013 Independence Cup Gold Medal winners representing the USA were at 114 lbs. Shawn Simpson (Chicago, Illinois) and at 141 lbs. Erickson Lubin (Orlando, Florida).
For the ever dwindling number of naysayers looking to find any issue with the progression of USA Boxing under the leadership of Executive Director Anthony Bartkowski and President Dr. Charles Butler, consider the 2013 Independence Cup ‘A New Beginning’, there no longer a need for the ‘wait and see’ attitude to continue.
It’s time for the USA Boxing membership to realize they have great leadership and either get on board, or get the heck out of the way…
Stephen Johnson feature writes for INSIDE BOXING.com, BORICUA BOXING.com, UNDISPUTED FIGHT MAGAZINE.com and UNTIL THE NEXT ROUND.com
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