LYNN — A pair of boxers from the city will travel to Salt Lake City this weekend for the USA Boxing pre-Olympic trials.
The standout duo, who train out of Private Jewels Fitness on Summer Street with coach Alex Sepulveda, leaves for Utah Sunday and will compete throughout the week in hopes of earning a spot on the Olympic team.
The two are Aramis Maldonado and Rashida Ellis, both Lynn natives. Maldonado, a 17-year-old who attends Lynn Classical, will compete in the 132-pound elite youth division. He’s currently ranked 16th in that division.
“Aramis has evolved into a whole different boxer,” Sepulveda said. “At Private Jewels we focus on evolving and making weaknesses into strengths. Boxing’s an art and a learning experience. He has evolved a lot. It takes kids a long time to be ranked and he’s done it in a year. What he’s done in such quick time is amazing.”
Ellis, a 22-year old who graduated from Lynn English, will fight in the 141-pound elite women’s division. She’s currently ranked No. 1 in that division.
“Rashida has the experience,” Sepulveda said. “She’s a veteran. She’s been doing this for so long. Her goal is to qualify for the Olympics and from there she’s looking to turn pro. But the biggest pride and joy of any boxer is to win a medal.
“Rashida’s evolving,” Sepulveda added. “The game’s always changing because you’re seeing so many different styles of boxing. You have to be able to diversify your style and she has done that. She has a lot of experience and she’s a great member of our team.”
Maldonado and Ellis will have to advance through the tournament-style event in order to cement their bids in the Pan American Games, the next chapter towards an Olympic bid. In all, there are are two more tournaments after next week’s that they’ll have to get through in order to earn an Olympic spot.
“These kids really want to make it to the Olympics,” Sepulveda said. “This year coming up, 2018, is a big year. The dream of all my kids is to represent Lynn and Massachusetts in the Olympics. USA Boxing didn’t do very well in the last Olympics, in 2016. We’d like to see that improve.”
Needless to say, the competition they’ll fight against in Utah will be at a high level.
“These are the best of the best in the nation,” Sepulveda said. “We’ll see the Top 20 boxers in the nation from each division. They’ve advanced through all the tournaments. This is for kids who truly want to make the Olympic team.”
In a successful year for the boxing program at Private Jewels, which has seen Sepulveda and his team host two boxing events in Lynn, a positive showing next week would serve as a great way to end 2017 on a high note.
“I’m a proud coach seeing all this development,” Sepulveda said. “I didn’t know this could happen but it’s great. All of my fighters are evolving and getting better. We’re so busy fighting in all different states and cities. It’s beautiful.
“They can’t believe this is happening,” Sepulveda added. “We work hard and we believe in hard work. We trust in what we do. Hard work takes them this far. Each challenge is harder and that’s what life’s about.”
Maldonado and Ellis will return home from the tournament on Dec. 9.
Also representing Lynn in the coming weeks will be 152-pounder Charlie Espinal. A 24-year-old, Espinal will compete in the Rocky Marciano Tournament of Champions on Dec. 9 in Bridgewater.
