San Antonio Boxer Aims for 2028 Olympics

Christian Paez, a high school senior, has earned a spot on the U.S. Youth Selection Team after winning the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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While most high school seniors are preparing for Spring Break, prom, and graduation, Christian Paez of San Antonio's Southwest High School is focused on making the U.S. Olympic boxing team for the 2028 Summer Games. Paez recently won the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships in the youth male bantamweight division, earning him a spot on the U.S. Youth Selection Team. He will now travel to Colorado for training before competing in an international tournament in Bangkok, Thailand.

Why it matters

Paez's success at the national level and selection for the U.S. Youth Team highlights the growing talent and dedication of young boxers in San Antonio, a city with a rich history in the sport. His journey to the Olympics could inspire other local youth to pursue their athletic dreams.

The details

Paez, who goes by the nickname 'Sonic', has a 34-4-0 record at the national level with 11 knockouts in 133 fights overall. He has been training at his father's gym, Alamo City Boxing Club, since he was 4 years old. After winning the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships, Paez will now head to Colorado for three weeks of training before traveling to Bangkok, Thailand for his first international tournament.

  • Paez won the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships in Lubbock.
  • Paez will leave for Colorado on Sunday to begin training with the U.S. Youth Selection Team.
  • Paez will travel to Bangkok, Thailand for an international tournament after his training in Colorado.

The players

Christian Paez

A high school senior at Southwest High School in San Antonio, Texas who recently won the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships in the youth male bantamweight division.

Alamo City Boxing Club

The gym owned by Paez's father where he has been training since he was 4 years old.

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What they’re saying

“It's a selection camp for U.S.A. boxing. Most of the champions from the tournament over here in Lubbock should be going over‚”

— Christian Paez (KSAT)

“My dad opened up the gym a little before I was born. I've been in the gym since I was, like, four (years old), and I've been here watching and learning. When I turned eight, he put me in my first fight. And, ever since then, I've just been training. Trying to build something.”

— Christian Paez (KSAT)

What’s next

The U.S. Olympic Trials for boxing will be held in December, where Paez will compete for a spot on the 2028 U.S. Olympic boxing team.

The takeaway

Paez's journey to the Olympics showcases the dedication and talent of young athletes in San Antonio, a city with a rich boxing heritage. His success could inspire other local youth to pursue their athletic dreams and put San Antonio on the map as a hotbed for boxing talent.