The San Antonio Regional Golden Gloves Tournament is the first step a local amateur boxer takes towards possible national recognition.  The tournament is open to any individual 17 to 34 years of age who qualifies under the rules of the sanctioning body, the United States Amateur Boxing Federation.  Each boxer must also pass a rigid physical examination.  There is no charge for participation.

 The boxers compete in three divisions - Open, Novice and Sub-Novice.  A Sub-Novice boxer enters the competition with no fights. A Novice Division boxer is a beginner with generally less that ten recognized matches.  An Open Division boxer is more experienced and can participate in the National Tournament.

A winner in the Open division weight class here in San Antonio will move on to the State Tournament that will be held in Fort Worth.  If he is a winner, it's on to the National Tournament of Champions.

The Golden Gloves Tournaments were born in 1923 when Chicago sports writer Arch Ward designed them to help youth and promote amateur competition.  That objective continues today and is firmly supported by the local Golden Gloves franchise the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio.

Some of the boxing legends who have been Golden Gloves Champions include Muhammad Ali, Barney Ross, Ezzard Charles, Ernie Terrel, and Sugar Ray Leonard.  Texans who stand tall in the history of Golden Gloves include Tom Atta, Olcutt Phillips, Dick Menchaca, Jesse Valdez, James (Dubba) Desceme, Ronnie Shields, San Antonio's own Gene Guess and Jesse James Leija. 

The Golden Gloves Tournament has a long-standing tradition of cultivating the physical and mental well-being among the participating regional youth as well as acting a major fund-raiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio. This partnership is consistent with the mission of the Clubs to provide for the educational, social, and wholesome development of San Antonio's young people. The Clubs serve over 6,000 members and more than 8,000 non-members at our five branches on the east and west sides of San Antonio. The Clubs offer them a safe alternative to the streets and a chance to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

Support of the Golden Gloves is integral in providing wholesome after school activities for San Antonio boys and girls.  There are a variety of sponsorship levels, ranging from major sponsorships to ads in this year's Golden Gloves program.  Please make a commitment to the youth of San Antonio through sponsorship of this year's Golden Gloves.  It's an investment in our youth and the future of our City.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the Golden Gloves, contact the Boys & Girls Clubs at 210-436-0686 for more information.  To view the various level of sponsorship click here.