Asante Lamar
2026 U19 World Boxing Championships

Asante Lamar Is Ready to Take His Next Step With Team USA This October

Share:

by USA Boxing

Asante Lamar has been boxing since he was a kid, and now he is getting the chance to represent Team USA at the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships.

The Cincinnati, Ohio, native started boxing in 2016 after following the lead of his older brother and uncle, Kevin Beford. Nearly a decade later, Lamar has built a strong résumé at the national level.

Lamar recently won the 2025 USA Boxing National Championship, and in the past has won USA Boxing's Junior Olympics national event and Silver Gloves titles during his time in the sport. He then earned a spot on USA Boxing's Youth High Performance Team, where he made his international debut earlier this year, going 2-1 in Thailand at the 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup.

(Photo by USA Boxing)

Now, Lamar will take on one of his biggest opportunities yet when he travels to Budva, Montenegro, for the U19 World Championships.

For Lamar, representing Team USA means more than just competing in another tournament. Growing up in Cincinnati, he knows opportunities like this do not come around often for young boxers.

“It means a lot because a lot of 17-year-olds don’t get to go overseas where I’m from,” stated Lamar. "Being able to represent Team USA and my city means a lot to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity."

After starting boxing because of his family, Lamar has continued to build his own career in the sport. Now, he will have the chance to compete internationally while representing his country and Cincinnati on the U19 stage.

The 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships will take place in Budva, Montenegro, from October 14-28. For more information on the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships, please click HERE.

(Photo by USA Boxing)