Page 45 - Boxing News Magazine (January 2020)

AMATEURS

AMERICA’S OLYMPIC HOPES

Photo: ACTION IMAGES
USA Boxing hold trials for
their Tokyo 2020 team IN FORM:
Oshae Jones is the
PanAmerican gold
OVER eight days in December medallist
the USA boxing held trials for
their Olympic squad. The top two
boxers in the trials advance to
the next stage of the US’ selection
procedure. That starts with their
squad assembling in training
camp at Colorado Springs in
January. The process will include a
multination training camp, before
they go to Bulgaria for the Strandja
Tournament.
The final three box-offs took
place on December 16 at Lake
Charles. At 57kgs Lupe Gutierrez
took a split decision victory
over Andrea Medina. Javier
Martinez avenged a split decision
loss to Joseph Hicks, returning
the favour on a split too in their
final 75kgs box off. At heavyweight
Darius Fulghum unanimously
outpointed Jamar Talley, who’d
beaten him on a split decision
the previous day. Fulghum had an
impressive tournament, beginning
with an upset victory over top seed
Adrian Tillman.
The rest of the finals took
place on December 15. At
flyweight Virginia Fuchs secured
a unanimous decision victory
over Christina Cruz to take her
second Olympic Trials title, a
championship in which she won
every bout unanimously.
In the men’s 52kgs
division, Abraham Perez beat
Anthony Herrera by unanimous
decision victory. “I’m happy,” he
said. “There were a lot of sacrifices
that I made. I’m glad those winning all her contests by decision to win their final. “My honoured to have a chance with
sacrifices weren’t for nothing.” unanimous decision, including in confidence is very high,” Johnson the U.S. Olympic team.”
Brooklyn’s Bruce the final against Amelia Moore. “I said. “I’ve trained hard for this and A new super-heavyweight
Carrington didn’t lose throughout just had to push myself harder,” Ellis it finally paid off. I’ll be ready for rose. Antonio Mireles secured
these Olympic trials, winning the said. “I’ve fought most of these girls, our next tournament. I don’t think his Trials title with a unanimous
men’s featherweight division. In the I just had to pick it up a little more.” any achievement tops this. This is decision win over Jeremiah
final he unanimously scored David A walkover brought Keyshawn the biggest thing.” Milton. “He caught me off guard in
Navarro, after starting off the Davis his lightweight title. At middleweight Naomi the first round,” Mireles admitted.
tournament with an impressive split 69kgs PanAmerican Games Graham unanimously “He was more collected. I had to
decision win over top seed Duke gold medallist Oshae Jones was outscored Morelle McCane. “It think more. I just tried to push the
Ragan. a convincing unanimous victor feels amazing to be at this point,” pace.”
“Nobody worked harder than over Briana Che in their final. “My Graham said after the final. “I’m at a Richard Torrez, the American
me,” Carrington said. “Nobody dealt confidence was already on ten,” loss for words. I knew I could do it, super-heavyweight who was
with the things I had to go through. Jones said. “I was excited, I had my I believe in myself. To actually do it infamously knocked cold by
There were a lot of obstacles these family with me. I’m on cloud nine, is a whole other feeling. Bakhodir Jalolov, an Uzbek who
last four years. No matter the seed, I’m on cloud on hundred right Atif Olberton could not get has also boxed professionally, did
nobody had anything for me in this now.” the better of Rahim Gonzales, not feature in these Olympic trials
weight division.” In the men’s 69kgs losing on a split in the 81kgs final. due to a medical exemption but
Rashida Ellis was the top division Delante Johnson fended “I’m tired but I pushed through,” he will still have a stake in the
female lightweight in the trials, off Freudis Rojas on a split Gonzales said. “I’m just excited. Very selection process.

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