Team USA will have 24 boxers in the tournament. These boxers are to be selected from the top 4 athletes in each weight class making it a total of 48, during two weeks of training in Marquette. The World Championship team will be selected from the 24 boxers in the Ali Cup depending on their performance. There will be more than five 1996 Olympic medalists competing, including three golds. The city of Louisville is ready to embrace the world.
Preparations are in progress for a gala event.
The intention of the new USA Boxing administration is to put the U.S. back on top of the world where it belongs, and this tournament is a step in the right direction. Organizing an international tournament is a must for the United States, and is the only effective way to penetrate the world body. The Ali Cup has the potential for becoming the premier event in all of amateur boxing next to only the Olympic Games. Case in point is the fact that there will be 30 countries in this year's tournament, a record for an event this size. It is hoped, that with a good, solid marketing plan, this will become an excellent source of income for USA Boxing.