Dominic Breazeale

There may be no boxer in London with less experience in the ring than Breazeale. He didn't take up the sport until 2008 after his collegiate career ended, having played quarterback for the University of North Colorado in the previous two years. While NFL teams didn't pursue Breazeale, All-American Heavyweights did just that. It was a relatively new program based in Carson, Calif., with the goal of finding elite U.S. athletes who could become amateur and pro stars in the heavyweight or super heavyweight divisions. Apparently tracking down Breazeale was a good move because he's made a meteoric rise, winning the 2011 California Golden Gloves title and placing third at that year's U.S. championships. He would win this year's national championships to have a shot at an Olympic bid, which he successfully claimed at the American Olympic Qualifying Event in May. Breazeale overcame a third-round deficit against Puerto Rico's Gerardo Brisbal, even forcing a standing eight count, to win his semifinal bout and clinch a spot in London. Though he suffered a close loss in the final, this father of two is clearly a quick learner considering his short time in the fight game and is a rising star in the sport.