The Las Vegas Convention Center was alive with the spirit of amateur boxing last week as over 1,400 boxers gathered for the 2025 USA National Junior Olympics and Summer Festival.
This prestigious event, the largest in amateur boxing, kicked off on June 15 and attracted participants from 40 states and the District of Columbia, alongside a delegation from Scotland.
With age groups spanning from pee wee to elite, competitors were required to have fought a minimum of 15 bouts with at least a 50% winning rate to qualify for the elite category, which was restricted to boxers born before June 16, 2007.
All bouts consisted of three rounds, with durations varying from 90 seconds for the youngest competitors to three minutes in the higher divisions, where headgear was mandatory.
The elite division featured ten weight classes for men and nine for women, showcasing a wide variety of talent.
Among the winners was Robert McNulty, a Scottish cruiserweight who made waves in the tournament.
McNulty, 22, emerged as a prominent figure from the Scottish delegation, drawing comparisons to Josh Taylor, who previously unified the 140-pound world title as a professional.
With the potential to grow into a heavyweight, McNulty is anticipated to command a substantial signing bonus once he decides to turn professional.
Scotland nearly secured a second gold medal through lightweight Niamh Mitchell, 18, who fought valiantly but lost a close 3-2 decision to Alisha Crockett from Arizona in the finals.
From Hawaii, Lorenzo Patricio, a flyweight from a renowned boxing family, also claimed victory in his weight class, further cementing the family’s legacy in amateur boxing.
Patricio, noted for his extensive boxing lineage, features seven siblings who are all engaged in the sport, trained by their father, Lyndon Patricio Sr, a former Hawaii state amateur champion originally from the Philippines.
The two oldest Patricios have already transitioned to professional boxing, with Shera Mae boasting a record of 5-0 and Lyndon Patricio Jr. at 4-0.
Despite the competitiveness of the event, the Patricio family left the Summer Festival with two gold medals, edging close to a third.
Leighton James Patricio, a young athlete weighing in at 95 pounds, secured first place in his junior male division category.
However, Landon John Patricio, competing in the junior featherweight division, faced tough competition and finished as runner-up against LA’s Erick Santos, losing by split decision.
Here are the results for the elite division winners:
In the Men’s Elite category, the champions included Lorenzo Patricio at 50 kg (110 pounds), Yu’shore Williams at 55 kg (121 pounds), Izaiah Darden at 60 kg (132 pounds), and Marcus Luther at 65 kg (143 pounds), amongst others.
Notably, Robert McNulty clinched the title at 85 kg (187 pounds) while Steven Williams topped the over 198 kg (90+ kg) category.
In the Women’s Elite division, standout performances were recorded by Lauren Flynn at 46 kg (101 pounds), Alanis Artiga at 48 kg (106 pounds), and Alisha Crockett at 60 kg (132 pounds), who notably defeated Niamh Mitchell among others.
The event reaffirmed the vibrancy and competitiveness of amateur boxing, shedding light on the future stars of the sport.
As these young athletes continue to hone their skills, it is evident that boxing remains a thriving and passionately pursued sport.
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