The fourth day of action at the PanAmerican Boxing Confederation (PBC) Continental Championships saw 24 boxers secure medals and semi-final places across six weight divisions in Puebla, Mexico, on Wednesday, 21 October.
The afternoon session featured quarter-finals in the women’s 51kg and men’s 60kg and 90kg divisions, before the evening session saw action across the women’s 75kg and men’s 70kg and +90kg categories.
The afternoon began with the women’s 51kg quarter-finals, where USA’s Noelle Haro secured a unanimous decision victory over Guatemala’s Dulce Diaz. Host nation Mexico also celebrated as Valeria Amparan defeated Argentina’s Tatiana Flores 5:0 to guarantee herself a medal.
Venezuela’s Irismar Cardozo produced one of the standout performances of the session, knocking out Canada’s McKenzie Wright in the third round. Brazil’s Carol Barbosa completed the division’s semi-final line-up with a narrow 3:2 split-decision victory over Colombia’s Yerlin Quiñones.
One of the biggest upsets of the day came in the men’s 60kg quarter-finals, where the Dominican Republic’s Ezequiel Medina Medina Gomez stunned top-seeded Brazilian Luiz Gabriel. In a closely contested bout, Medina secured a 3:2 split-decision victory to eliminate one of the division’s leading contenders and guarantee himself a continental medal.
Argentina’s Santiago Celes also advanced with a unanimous victory over Panama’s Jonathan Bonilla. Cuba’s Saidel Horta defeated Mexico’s Santiago Montalvo by a 4:0 points decision, while USA’s Salim Ellis Bey completed the semi-final line-up with a 5:0 victory over Colombia’s Duvan Zuleta.
The men’s 90kg quarter-finals saw Brazil’s Isaias Filho, Canada’s Bryan Colwell and Cuba’s Nelson Williams all progress with unanimous 5:0 victories against USA’s Joseph Awinongya Jr, Puerto Rico’s Angel Rivera and Mexico’s Jesus Talamantes respectively.
Colombia’s Jhojan Caicedo closed the afternoon session with a first-round stoppage victory over Venezuela’s Alfonso Blanco, with the referee ending the contest at 1:27.
The evening session opened with the women’s 75kg quarter-finals, where Canadian Olympian Tammara Thibeault made a successful return to the ring, securing a commanding 5:0 unanimous decision victory over Cuba’s Yoana Rodriguez. Thibeault, one of Canada’s leading boxing talents, marked her return to competition by guaranteeing herself a medal and a place in the semi-finals.
Brazil’s Adriele Nascimento followed with another unanimous decision against Trinidad and Tobago’s Angel George. Colombia’s Luisa Montiel edged Mexico’s Lorien Alonso by a 3:2 split decision, while Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza defeated USA’s Kendra Samargis 4:1 to complete the division’s semi-final line-up.
In the men’s 70kg quarter-finals, Colombia’s Alexander Rangel secured a narrow 3:2 victory over Brazil’s Kaian Reis. The Dominican Republic’s Ricardo Cuello Ricardo and Ecuador’s Jose Rodriguez both advanced with 5:0 victories against Puerto Rico’s Angel Llanos and Canada’s Alexander Campbell respectively.
Cuba’s Yusnier Sorsano completed the division’s action with a first-round stoppage victory over Costa Rica’s Antony Alen Matarrita Angulo, with the contest ending after just 1:09.
The men’s +90kg quarter-finals saw Brazil’s Joel Ramos defeat Argentina’s Enzo Gallardo by a 3:2 split decision. USA’s Gilbert Kabamba recorded a unanimous 5:0 victory over Cuba’s Erick Castillo, while Ecuador’s Gerlon Congo progressed with a 4:1 decision against the Dominican Republic’s Daniel Guzman.
Colombia’s Juan Patiño closed the evening with a unanimous decision victory over Mexico’s Javier Cruz.
Competition continues in Puebla on Thursday, 22 October, with the remaining quarter-finals followed by the opening semi-final contests as boxers compete for places in the continental finals.
Every single bout of the competition will be livestreamed on World Boxing TV (English) and Panam Sports Channel (Spanish).
The best way to keep up to date with the competition is via the PanAmerican Boxing account.
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Press release issued by PBC and adapted by World Boxing.