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Women’s Boxing to Make its Debut in Summer Olympics

Women’s Boxing to Make its Debut in Summer Olympics

Finally, female boxers are getting the chance to fight for a medal in the Olympic games. The Summer Olympics, with the opening ceremony July 27, will feature women in boxing for the first time, with three ladies on the U.S. team.

Representing the U.S. will be Claressa Shields, Marlen Esparza, and Quanitta “Queen” Underwood. As the first female boxers to compete in the Olympics, they’ve already made history. The ladies will join 33 (a small number compared to the 250 men competing) other fighters, in three separate weight classes (the men’s competition has 10), all competing for the coveted medals.

While boxing joined the Olympics in 1904, it was the only Summer sport without females until now. The entire US boxing team has 12 members, making it the largest at the London games. The women’s tournament begins on the second Sunday of the games (August 5 and 6), and will last five days, with semifinals on August 8 and the gold-medal matches on August 9.

Meet the U.S. Women’s Team:

  • Claressa Shields: Flint, Michigan, 17, competing as a middleweight (165lbs)
  • Marlen Esparza: Houston, Texas, 22, competing as a featherweight (112 lbs)
  • Quanitta “Queen” Underwwod: Seattle, Washington, 28, competing as a lightweight (132lbs)

Related articles:

The Detroit News: Flint boxer Claressa Shields helping to make Olympic history

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120626/SPORTS09/206260403/1361/Flint-boxer-Claressa-Shields-helping-make-Olympic-history

Yahoo Sports: Women boxers get long-awaited Olympic chance

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/women-boxers-long-awaited-olympic-140512595–oly.html

The New York Times: U.S. Has Its First Female Olympic Boxer

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/sports/olympics/marlen-esparza-becomes-first-us-female-boxer-to-qualify-for-olympics.html?_r=1

Yahoo Sports: Women’s USA Olympic Boxing Team

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/womens-usa-olympic-boxing-team-fan-overview-222300187–oly.html

LA Boxing® Inks Partnership Agreement with Costco

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

Select California Costco Locations Will Offer LA Boxing Membership Packages to Customers

SANTA ANA, Calif.  [JULY 10, 2012] – LA Boxing®, the world’s largest boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) fitness franchise, announced today an exclusive agreement with wholesale retailer Costco to sell memberships in-store at select California locations, starting July 2012. Featured in the form of activation cards, the three month memberships also include two private-training sessions with LA Boxing trainers.

 

The initial Costco locations that will carry the memberships include: Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Lakewood, San Juan Capistrano, Signal Hill, Torrance, Yorba Linda and two locations in both Laguna Niguel and Tustin.

 

“Partnering with a retail giant like Costco gives us tremendous exposure and the ability to offer our memberships to a customer base that has very similar demographics to our own,” said Philip Jacobs, LA Boxing Director of Franchise Development. “Costco benefits by offering its members a unique alternative to the typical gym membership, while also identifying itself as a believer in health and wellness – it’s a win-win for both companies.”

 

LA Boxing focuses on fun, efficient and effective group boxing workouts and intense one-on-one personal training in a clean, welcoming and friendly environment, taught by instructors with actual fighting experience. Unlike individual workouts at most gyms, LA Boxing’s group classes are filled with a mix of all fitness levels and, although intense in nature, members are encouraged to workout at their own pace. While gaining intangible growth in self-confidence and determination, members have the ability to burn up to 1,000 calories in hour-long classes.

 

The bright colors, clean environment, and well-organized layout break down the conventional image of a boxing gym. Each LA Boxing is outfitted with a designated area for rows of heavy punching bags, speed bags, a boxing ring, an MMA area, and cardio and strength equipment.

 

“This partnership in California is part of an initial test to gauge the Costco customer response,” Jacobs said. “We hope to eventually roll this program out nationwide.”

 

For more information on LA Boxing or franchise opportunities, visit http://laboxing.com/franchising/ or contact Philip Jacobs at: (714) 668-0911 or philip@laboxing.com.

 

About LA Boxing

LA Boxing® is the world’s largest boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts fitness franchise with nearly 75 locations open nationwide and another 50 in various stages of development. The LA Boxing Workout™—aimed at suburban men, women, and children—which burns 800-1,000 calories per hour, is taught by professionally-trained boxers, kickboxers and mixed martial arts fighters. For more information about LA Boxing, visit http://laboxing.com/.