Four days. Three rings. More than 500 bouts. One unforgettable national championship.
The 2026 Ringside King of the Jungle National Championships brought some of amateur boxing’s most promising talent to Grand Rapids, Michigan, August 5–8, 2026. Hosted at DeVos Place and organized by NLA Boxing, the tournament welcomed competitors, coaches, families, and boxing fans from across the United States and beyond.
As one of the largest USA Boxing-sanctioned group member national championships in the country, King of the Jungle continues to provide an important stage for developing fighters to test their skills, gain experience, and pursue national championship honors.
Ringside Boxing was proud to support another year of competition and celebrate the athletes who give everything they have to this sport.
Four Days of Championship Boxing
From the opening bouts on Wednesday to the championship finals on Saturday, the competition featured three rings of action and more than 500 bouts.
The tournament featured male and female competitors across multiple age groups and weight classes, including novice, open, and masters divisions.
New for 2026 was a zero-bout matched competition category designed to give first-time boxers an opportunity to gain experience in a tournament environment before entering traditional novice competition.
For fighters who have spent months preparing, the opportunity to step into the ring at a national event represents far more than the pursuit of a championship belt. Every bout is a chance to demonstrate discipline, perseverance, and the skills developed through countless hours of training.
2026 King of the Jungle Champions and Standout Performances
The championship weekend produced memorable performances from athletes representing boxing clubs throughout North America.
Andrea “Badazz” Young — Kingsway Boxing Club
Representing Canada’s Kingsway Boxing Club, Andrea “Badazz” Young continued her impressive championship run with another title-winning performance.
After advancing directly to the final when her semifinal opponent did not appear, Young faced a challenging switch-hitting opponent from Chicago.
She adapted to the matchup, secured the victory, and brought home a Ringside King of the Jungle championship belt.
Steve Talom Kamgue — Club de Boxe Olympique Longueuil
Canadian boxer Steve Talom Kamgue made his mark on the international stage, capturing a King of the Jungle championship in his first international tournament outside Canada.
Facing the defending 2025 champion in the final, Kamgue delivered a strong performance built around footwork, precision, and control.
The victory marked an important achievement for the young fighter and his team at Club de Boxe Olympique Longueuil.
Juan — Gideon Boxing Gym
One of the tournament’s inspiring stories came from 13-year-old Juan of Gideon Boxing Gym in Saginaw, Michigan.
Juan captured a national championship on August 8, becoming the 2026 Ringside King of the Jungle champion in his division.
Gideon Boxing Gym entered six athletes in the tournament, with three advancing to championship finals.
Juan’s achievement highlighted the dedication of a local boxing program committed to mentorship, discipline, and positive youth development.
Maleki Darden — DNA Level C Boxing Club
Few stories better captured the spirit of amateur boxing than Maleki Darden’s championship performance.
Representing Ohio’s DNA Level C Boxing Club, Darden entered the tournament without any previous bouts.
Rather than competing exclusively in the new zero-bout category, he stepped into the novice tournament division and won his championship.
His accomplishment helped DNA Level C Boxing Club earn a share of the tournament’s Best Team and Best Coach honors.
Recognizing the Fighters Who Left Everything in the Ring
Not every outstanding performance ends with a championship belt.
William “The Butcher” Bardsley, representing Kingsway Boxing Club, fought four bouts in four days on his way to a silver medal. His run to the finals demonstrated the conditioning, determination, and resilience required to succeed in tournament boxing.
Teammate Quentin Snowden also delivered a strong performance, winning his opening bout and advancing to the final, where he earned a silver medal against experienced competition.
Together with Andrea Young’s championship, the Kingsway Boxing Club team returned home with one championship belt and two silver medals.
These accomplishments represent the competitive spirit that makes events like King of the Jungle so important for amateur boxing.
Ringside Boxing: Proud to Support the Next Generation
For Ringside Boxing, supporting amateur boxing is about more than putting our name on a tournament.
It’s about the young athletes who put in the work when nobody is watching. The coaches who dedicate countless hours to their fighters. The parents and families who travel, sacrifice, and support their athletes through every victory and setback.
As the title partner of the King of the Jungle National Championships, Ringside is proud to help recognize the accomplishments of these competitors.
The tournament’s custom Ringside championship belts represent the commitment, hard work, and determination required to compete at this level.
We believe amateur boxing builds more than champions. It develops confidence, discipline, respect, and character that extend far beyond the ring.
These athletes are the future of boxing, and we’re proud to be in their corner.
Thank You to the King of the Jungle Community
We want to extend our appreciation to NLA Boxing, the tournament organizers, USA Boxing officials, volunteers, coaches, families, and everyone who helped make the 2026 Ringside King of the Jungle National Championships possible.
Most importantly, congratulations to every athlete who stepped through the ropes.
Whether you returned home with a championship belt, a medal, your first victory, or valuable experience, your commitment to the sport deserves recognition.
To the 2026 champions: congratulations on an incredible accomplishment.
To the next generation of fighters: keep training, keep learning, and keep chasing your goals.
From your first day in the gym to the biggest moments of your boxing career, Ringside is proud to stand in your corner.
Learn more about Ringside-supported amateur boxing events at Ringside.com/Tournaments.
Ringside Boxing — The Best in Boxing.