NEW YORK, September 1, 2026 – Nearly a century after New York and Chicago first sent their Golden Gloves champions into the ring against each other, the rivalry returns to New York on Saturday, September 26. The 2026 Chicago Golden Gloves champions will face New York Metro Ring Masters champions at the DoubleTree by Hilton New York-LaGuardia Airport in Queens in a 14-bout card featuring seven men’s and seven women’s matchups.
The rivalry reaches back to the beginnings of Golden Gloves boxing. Chicago launched its amateur tournament in 1923, followed by New York in 1927. In 1928, champions from the two cities met for the first time, beginning the famed Intercity Golden Gloves series that continued for more than three decades. The two programs became proving grounds for generations of fighters who went on to the highest levels of the sport, with names including Floyd Patterson, Riddick Bowe and Daniel Jacobs in New York, and Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali and Mike Lee in Chicago.
Today, the Ring Masters Championships are New York Metro’s qualifying tournament for the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions, sending its champions on to compete as the New York Metro team. This year, Metro finished second in the nation, taking the team silver medal, with five fighters reaching the National Golden Gloves finals. Isaac Parker won gold at 198 pounds, while Maksym Kots, Daniela Arellano, Nicole Campbell and Le’Shanda Miller earned silver. Chicago finished seventh nationally and produced two national champions, Angelica Arroyo at 165 pounds and Diego Facio at 198+. National Golden Gloves medalists from both teams are slated to compete September 26.
For NY Metro Head Coach Joe Higgins, a National Golden Gloves Coaches Hall of Fame inductee, the return of the matchup connects today’s fighters to an important piece of amateur boxing history. “The intercity Golden Gloves history between New York and Chicago was historic, traveling back and forth each year, filling up the big Garden,” Higgins said. “I love that the franchise holders are bringing this back.”
The September 26 card matches Chicago Golden Gloves champions against Metro Ring Masters champions across weight classes from 112 pounds through super heavyweight. The bout card is tentative and subject to change.
The NY Metro vs. Chicago Intercity Rivalry takes place Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton New York-LaGuardia Airport, 104-04 Ditmars Boulevard, East Elmhurst, NY 11369. Weigh-ins begin at 2:00 p.m., with the first bout at 5:00 p.m. The event will stream live on Millions.co.
ABOUT USA BOXING METRO
USA Boxing Metro is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by its membership, the boxing community and its partners. The organization and its tournaments are supported by a network of volunteer officials, coaches and staff who contribute their time and expertise to athlete development and opportunity.
For updates, follow @ring_masters_official and @usaboxingmetro on Instagram.
For media inquiries, contact Sonya Lamonakis, Vice President, USA Boxing Metro, at [email protected].
