Boxer Queen Underwood poses for a portrait during the USOC Portrait Shoot at Smashbox West Hollywood on November 15, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images for USOC)
USA Boxing says lightweight Queen Underwood has been awarded a berth in the first Olympic women’s boxing tournament.
The national governing body made the announcement Monday.
Underwood won the first U.S. Olympic boxing team trials in February, but dropped a one-point decision at the world championships last month, falling just short of Olympic qualification and jeopardizing her berth in London’s 12-fighter lightweight field.
USA Boxing says Underwood received an Olympic spot from AIBA, the international governing body of amateur boxing.
Underwood’s selection means the American team will have a fighter in each of the three weight classes when women’s boxing is contested for the first time as an Olympic event.
Flyweight Marlen Esparza and middleweight Claressa Shields earned Olympic spots at the world championships.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
