Old and Young Get Shots in Box-Offs

Augustine Sanchez, 18, is one win away from making the U.S. Olympic Boxing team, while 32-year-old Ronald Simms needs two victories to make the team in his third try.

Both will participate in the box-offs scheduled for today through Saturday.

There will be six bouts each tonight and Friday night. If an Olympic trials champion wins, he makes the team. If he loses to a challenger, they will box again Saturday, with the winner making the team.

As a challenger, Simms of the Air Force at Langley, Va., will box trials champion Roshii Wells of Riverdale, Ga., for the 165-pound berth tonight. Wells, 19, outpointed Simms, 6-2, in the trials championship two weeks ago at Oakland.

While Simms is the oldest man in the box-offs, the youngest is Brian Mitchem of Augusta. Mitchem, who will turn 18 on July 3, will challenge Fernando Vargas, 18, of Oxnard at 147 pounds. Mitchem lost early in the trials, then boxed his way through the loser’s bracket to make the box-offs in his hometown.