USA Boxing National Qualifier underway at Cleveland's Wolstein Center

CLEVELAND — Hundreds of boxers from across 45 states have arrived in Cleveland to fight in the USA Boxing National Qualifier.

The event started Monday following a press conference with Cleveland boxing legend "Showtime" Shawn Porter.

"I think that this national tournament being here in Cleveland is perfect for our city," Porter said. 

There are 856 boxers competing in the qualifier, with the majority being from Ohio. In fact, more than 14 percent of the athletes, or 224, are from the Buckeye State. 

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Other states that have a notably large presence at the event include Texas, California, and Pennsylvania.

Armando Fernandez, 23, from Florida, told 3News that the future of boxing is at this qualifier.

"This is where you seed, from where you qualify for the nationals to eventually, ya know win the next tournament that you qualify for and be a part of the United States team," said Fernandez.

The qualifier is Monday through Saturday at the Wolstein Center on the campus of Cleveland State University with bouts taking place every day.

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