Dussliere, assistant coach of the American swimming that finished top of the medals table at Beijing 2008 with ten golds, brings over two decades in elite coaching experience and success to USA Boxing.

He will work closely with international teaching coach Pedro Roque to develop and execute high performance strategy for USA Boxing's elite athletes in conjunction with efforts at the grassroots level.

"USA Boxing is moving in a new and positive direction in numerous areas and adding John to our team is an important component of our new structure," said executive director Anthony Bartkowski.

"His skills and experience will allow us to develop and implement a successful high performance strategy from the grassroots up through the elite level.

"With his strong knowledge in the Olympic Movement and elite athlete development, John will bring a unique perspective to the USA Boxing team as we prepare our athletes for international competition."

Dussliere has coached in the competitive swimming industry for 25 years, guiding athletes at every level of their development.

He will be charged with creating a new programme for USA Boxing and assist in the managing and education the organisation's vast networks of coaches.

"USA Boxing has the best athletes, coaches and support team in the sport of boxing and we are currently working to get everyone on the same path to success," said Dussliere.

"From what I have seen so far, that won't take long.

"Sport science and formal coaching education is a clear and critical part of supporting today's Olympic calibre athlete.

"This will be our X-factor as we regain the podium for Team USA."

USA Boxing is undergoing a huge period of transition following a disastrous period within the body in October 2012 when they were hit with a three-month suspension by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) for retaining their hugely controversial former President Hal Adonis on their Board.

Adonis was originally forced to step down as USA Boxing President after suggesting that homosexuality was rife in female boxing and that all boxers should have suffered child abuse to prosper in the sport but was allowed to retain a seat on the Board in a move that caused the suspension, while it was only lifted when Adonis was eventually removed.

The episode came after a disastrous London 2012 Olympic campaign from the United States that saw the strongest Olympic boxing nation in history fail to win a single medal in the men's category and it was only the women that managed to help the country save face with middleweight Claressa Shields claiming gold and flyweight Marlen Esparza taking bronze.

With huge changes now being made at all levels following recommendations a USA Boxing Reform Committee, the organisation will be hoping for a change in fortunes, starting with the appointment of Dussliere.

Among other changes is that USA Boxing has begun the process of recruiting an entire new ten-person Board after the former one was dissolved as one of the main recommendations of the Reform Committee.

The new Board will be comprised of two athlete directors, four independent directors, one Local Boxing Committee director, one affiliate director, one general membership director and one AIBA director.

The deadline for applications to become a USA Boxing Board member is due to close on May 14.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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