How quickly things can change. Just a month ago, lightweight boxer Queen Underwood, a 28-year-old Seattle native, was all but eliminated from Olympic contention after losing her third fight at the Women’s World Championships in China. By a point. (Winner: Norway’s Ingrid Egner, 26-25, final round.) But according to King5 Sports, the International Olympic Committee’s Tripartite Commission has selected Underwood for a wild-card berth to the 2012 Olympic Games in London. She just got the call this morning.

Women’s boxing makes its Olympic debut this summer as a medal sport; and despite not qualifying in May, Underwood has long been considered "the odds-on favorite to bring home gold for the U.S. in the 132-pound weight class," says Seattle Met‘s Matthew Halverson. He chatted with Underwood in February about what it takes to be queen of the ring. Her motto? "Can’t stop, won’t stop."

Congrats, Queen.

The 2012 London Olympics open July 27.