Philly’s Salim Ellis-Bey Set to Make International Debut at 2025 Brandenburg Cup

Philadelphia, a city steeped in boxing history, has long been waiting for its next Olympic breakout star. That wait may soon be over.

Meet Salim Ellis-Bey, the 18-year-old South Philly standout quickly emerging as one of Team USA’s brightest Olympic prospects. Fresh off his victory at the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships, Ellis-Bey earned a coveted spot on the USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team—and was named team captain, a rare honor that speaks volumes about his leadership, poise, and presence inside the gym.

This week, the young phenom will make his international debut as he leads Team USA into the 2025 Brandenburg Cup in Germany, competing at 60kg. For Ellis-Bey, this moment has been years in the making.

“I’ve dreamed of this since I was 14,” he said. “That’s when my dad and I sat down and decided that boxing wasn’t just a hobby—it was my life. That conversation flipped a switch in me. From that day forward, I developed a different mindset. I wasn’t just training. I was building a career.”

That mindset—what Ellis-Bey calls a “dawg mentality”—has propelled him to national success and now sets the stage for his first test on the international scene. While many 18-year-olds might be overwhelmed by the spotlight, Ellis-Bey is embracing it.

“This is a dream come true,” he said. “Since the first day I stepped into the ring, I wished for this. Now that I’m here, I’m not wasting a second of it.”

A natural leader, Ellis-Bey’s presence commands attention the moment he enters the gym. Whether he's pushing the pace in training or guiding his teammates, he sets the tone for Team USA. And when asked about the opportunity ahead of him, his focus couldn’t be clearer.

“The sightseeing can wait,” he said. “Those moments will come if I handle business now. I’m not taking this opportunity for granted. Representing my country and testing myself against the best in the world—this is what I’ve trained for. My eyes are on gold.”

Ellis-Bey has long-term goals—like representing the United States at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles—but for now, his attention is solely on winning gold on Saturday, August 3 in Germany.

The 2025 Brandenburg Cup begins Wednesday, July 30, and Salim Ellis-Bey will be at the heart of Team USA’s campaign, ready to carry the legacy of Philly boxing onto the world stage.