On a stage Tuesday at McFadden’s Sports Saloon were many faces you could expect to see for an announcement that USA Boxing will hold its national championships here in December.
At the microphone as master of ceremonies was Al Valenti, a long-time boxing promoter and USA Boxing special projects consultant. Alongside was Kathy Nelson, president of the Kansas City Sports Commission.
Behind them sat Cam Awesome, the four-time U.S. champion from Lenexa; USA Boxing president John Brown, who has coached some 10,000 boxers and lives in Shawnee; and Billy Walsh, a former Olympian and Irish national coach who is rejuvenating a drooping USA program.