USA Boxing Announces Creation of eSports Task Force
USA Boxing announced the creation of an eSports Task Force on Wednesday, a move intended to develop standards and best practices for future USA Boxing eSports events. USA Boxing eSports Task Force members include Golden Gloves VR, a multiplayer virtual reality boxing game, which serves as the official eSports gaming platform of USA Boxing.
The USA Boxing eSports Task Force will explore possibilities, obstacles, and implementation of eSports competitions. Its creation follows the International Olympic Committee’s decision to host the inaugural ESports Olympic Games in Saudi Arabia in 2025, which IOC President Thomas Bach considers a “major step forward and is keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution.”
According to Mike McAtee, USA Boxing Executive Director, “Not everyone is capable of participating in Olympic level boxing. eSports and virtual reality boxing create an exciting opportunity to expand the benefits of USA Boxing to new audiences in adaptive, fitness and eSports boxing. The more people that embrace our sport and support our mission, the better.”
Aaron Sloan, creator of Golden Gloves VR commented, “Virtual reality boxing is the perfect fit for Olympic-level eSport competition due to the physical demands of the gameplay. Our boxing expertise allowed us to develop the mechanics of the game to be very true to life. The Golden Gloves VR player base already includes boxing enthusiasts from around the world. eSport boxing will further unite the world consistent with the Olympic vision.”
Olympic-style boxers from across the world, including members of the 2024 USA Boxing Olympic Team, had the opportunity to demo Golden Gloves VR and the multiplayer feature at the 2024 USA Boxing International Invitational and World Boxing Cup in Pueblo, Colo., in April. Golden Gloves VR is available on the Meta Quest Store.
USA Boxing:
USA Boxing is the national governing body for Olympic-style amateur boxing and is overseen by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and World Boxing. USA Boxing is a non-profit organization headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., with the mission to promote and grow Olympic-style amateur boxing in the United States. USA Boxing aims to inspire the tireless pursuit of Olympic gold and enable athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence. Additionally, USA Boxing endeavors to teach all participants the character, confidence and focus needed to become resilient and diverse champions, both in and out of the ring. USA Boxing is one team, one nation, going for gold!
Golden Gloves VR was designed by Tulsa-based tech company Engine Room VR for Meta Quest virtual reality headsets and is available on the Meta Quest Store. Endorsed by Golden Gloves of America, a world-renowned name in amateur boxing, GGVR was developed in consultation with professional and amateur boxers and coaches to provide a realistic, immersive and progressive boxing experience where players can train and compete in a variety of virtual settings.