For the first time since 1995, the City of Lowell will host the National Golden Gloves tournament.

The decision was announced this afternoon in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after a contingent representing the city and the Lowell Golden Gloves Tournament made it’s pitch to the tournament’s national committee.

“It’s an incredible honor for Lowell to be chosen as the host city for the National Golden Gloves Tournament in 2027,” said Lowell Mayor Danny Rourke. “Our city has a deep-rooted history with boxing, and this is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our community on a national stage. We can’t wait to welcome athletes, fans, and visitors from across the country to experience all that Lowell has to offer. This will be a landmark event for our city, and we are beyond excited to be part of such a prestigious tradition.”

Rourke was joined in Tulsa by Assistant City Manager Shawn Machado, Lowell Sun Charities President Kevin Coughlin and Lowell Golden Gloves Executive Director Bob Russo. Russo is also President of the National Golden Gloves, a fact which likely held tremendous sway with the 30 delegates voting on the award.

The Mill City beat out a number of other entries, including Detroit and Tulsa, for the rights to host one of amateur boxing’s most  prominent sporting events.

The expansive effort was discussed during an InsideLowell podcast in July, when Russo and Coughlin visited the Wellpoint Studios to lay out some of the specifics of their pitch. They spoke about their optimism, fueled by cooperation between the Lowell Gloves, the city and UMass Lowell in providing the facilities, infrastructure, funding and fundraising necessary to host such a sporing event in the 21st century.

In April, City Councilor Kim Scott made a motion on the floor asking City Manager Tom Golden to have the National Tournament back in the city. Besides 1995, the Mill City had previously hosted the prestigious competition in 1973.

Among the pro boxing champions who have competed in Lowell as amateurs during Gloves Tournament are Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, James “Buster” Douglas, Gerry Cooney, Marvin Hagler and the Mill City’s own “Irish” Micky Ward.