Team USA went undefeated Sunday evening at the 2024 World Boxing U19 Championships, improving to 3-0 in Pueblo, Colorado.
Two boxers debuted for Team USA, including Laila Zakirova (Staten Island, New York), who boxed in the 51kg class and defeated Xian Baguhin of the Philippines in a 4-1 split decision. Zakirova, who has now secured at least a bronze, will box against India’s Nisha Nisha on October 30 in the medal round and is two wins away from gold.
Emmanuel Chance (East Orange, New Jersey) also saw success with a unanimous decision over Kelvy da Trindade of Brazil. Chance landed multiple body shots and dominant blows, securing a Tuesday matchup against Yerassyl Amangaliyev of Kazakhstan. A win would advance him to the medal round and secure at least a bronze.
On Monday, Team USA added four more wins, with all boxers advancing to the medal round and securing at least a bronze medal.
Lorenzo Patricio (Waianae, Hawaii) started the evening in the 50kg weight class with a 4-0 win over Japan’s Seiya Nakayama. Patricio now faces India’s Rishi Singh on Wednesday, with the winner moving on to the finals.
Joseph Awinongya (Joliet, Illinois) and Elijah Lugo (Marietta, Georgia) both turned in dominant wins. Awinongya stopped Australia’s Connor Anderson in the first round after three eight-counts prompted the referee to end the bout. Lugo also won by referee stoppage after landing multiple powerful shots on Italy’s Cristian Sarsilli. Both Awinongya and Lugo will compete in the medal round on Wednesday.
Rishon Sims (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) capped off the night with a 3-2 split decision over Eris Andi Lushtaku of Germany. Now two wins away from gold, Sims will face Noveki Tomokino of Australia on Wednesday.
Violet Lopez (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and Malachi Ross (Grandview, Missouri) were eliminated from the championships.
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