Tulsa Boxer Won National Title, Now She's Headed To Olympic Team Qualifiers

A Tulsa woman made it to the top of her weight class for boxing around the country. Her next step is the Olympic trial boxing team qualifiers in Louisiana to compete for a spot on Team USA.

Before jet-setting off to Louisiana, there was still training to be done. In December, amateur boxer Neida Ibarra heard the starting buzzer at the Olympic trial team qualifiers boxing match.

"You know that the competition is strong, and so you just have to do everything that you're able to do," she said. 

Ibarra won the 2023 Golden Glove for her weight class, which was her ticket to try out for Team USA.

"As the time has gotten closer to the tournament, we're just turning it up more and more," Ibarra said. 

Ibarra and her coach, Luis Ramirez, trained night and day to get ready for the tournament, "so I'll get up before work, and I'll run, or train here in the gym, or do weights," she said. 

Ramirez said it's hard to put into words how proud he is of her, not just as a coach but as her boyfriend too.

"To see her out there competing with the best women that there is in her weight class, it was amazing," he said. 

Although he loved helping her get to this point, he was ready to let the Team USA coaches take his spot with her in the ring.

"Just praying for the best and knowing that they're in good hands and that they're right up here and in here, and that's all you can ask for," Ramirez said. 

After years of training, Ibarra is grateful for both the wins and losses that have got her to this point.

"When I look back on it now, like all the fights and all the training, and like I said, missing out on things all for the sport, I'm just glad that it has paid off."

Ibarra will compete in the tournament during the first week of December, fighting 14 girls for a spot on Team USA. You can help them with their travel expenses here.