Two dozen sports pioneers will assemble near Spokane this week and many of them have dreamed of competing in the Olympics. Few of them ever thought it would be in a boxing ring.

Northern Quest Resort hosts the first United States Olympic Team Trials for Women’s Boxing, Monday Feb. 13-19. Three weight classes will be contested with a trip to the London Olympics as the ultimate goal.

One of the favorites to make the first-ever American squad is Seattle’s own “Queen of the Ring,” Queen Underwood. The 27-year-old is a five time national champion and finished third at the 2010 World Championships.

I met Queen when she trained in a Central District gym more than a year ago and was impressed with her ability and intensity.

“I never got into a fight in my life,” Underwood said smiling. “When I get into the ring, I transform into a totally different person. When I first started boxing, I decided I’m going to be the best. It was meant to be.”

Underwood ran track at Garfield High School and enjoyed watching America’s top athletes take on the world.

“When I was younger, I looked at Dominique Dawes and gymnastics, Michael Johnson in the sprints. Those are the people I loved at the Olympic Games.”

Underwood also followed the top male boxers of our time.
“I looked up to Muhammad Ali and the big names like Mike Tyson, and Evander Holyfield. Those guys were making a name for themselves.”

Now, Queen Underwood has a chance to be that Olympic boxer people recognize. She’s the top ranked athlete in the 132 pound lightweights.

Another local boxer competing in the U.S. Trials is Alex Love. The Monroe resident will be an underdog in the 112 pound flyweight classification.

>>Read: Bill Swartz November interview with Alex Love

The three winners don’t automatically go the London Olympics. They’ll still have to finish in the top four of their weight class at the Women’s World Championships May 21 -June 3 in China.