At the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games, held at Santiago’s Centro de Entrenamiento Olimpico, American heavyweight Jamar Talley (from Camden, N.J.) faced a tough opponent. The two-time Olympic Champion, Julio Cesar La Cruz of Cuba, proved a tad too seasoned for our champ.
Launching into the first round with gusto, Talley aimed right for La Cruz’s midsection, securing a 3-2 lead over this impressive six-time World Champion. As the fight progressed, however, La Cruz’s wealth of experience and rock-solid defense became apparent. By the time the second and third rounds came to a close, La Cruz had convincingly swayed all five judges, sealing a unanimous decision victory.
But that’s not the end of the excitement for Team USA! Day three promises more thrilling fights. Roscoe Hill (Spring, Texas), a 2021 Elite World Championship silver medalist and 2022 AMBC Elite Championship champion, is scheduled to spar with Cuba’s Alejandro Claro Fiz. Their fight opens the day’s events at 10:00 a.m. ET.
In the day’s later session, starting 4:00 p.m. ET, flyweight Jennifer Lozano (Laredo, Texas) steps into the ring. The gold medalist from last year’s AMBC Elite Championships will meet Susan Meylin Aguas Chala from Ecuador. Let’s not forget the evening’s finale! Light heavyweight Robby Gonzales (Las Vegas, Nev.) is set to rekindle his rivalry with Christian Javier Pinales of the Dominican Republic. Last year in Ecuador, Gonzales emerged victorious with a 4-1 decision. Fingers crossed he repeats the performance and advances further in Santiago.
At the helm of Team USA is Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.), supported by Timothy Nolan (Rochester, N.Y.), Chad Wigle (Colorado Springs, Colo.), and Christine Lopez (Rowlett, Texas). Their combined expertise promises great strategies for the team.
A significant detail: this year’s Pan American Games, its 19th iteration, acts as the first qualifier for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. The event has garnered 174 boxers from 27 countries, all vying for the top spot.
For the fans keen on staying updated, USA Boxing’s official event page offers everything from daily schedules to live-stream updates. Dive into it for the freshest updates.
Recent Results & Upcoming Schedule
Day 2 Results:
92 kg: Julio Cesar La Cruz/CUB def. Jamar Talley, Camden, N.J./USA, 5-0
Day 3 Line-up:
10:00 a.m. ET: 51 kg – Roscoe Hill, Spring, Texas/USA vs. Alejandro Claro Fiz/CUB – 7th Fight
4:00 p.m. ET: 50 kg – Jennifer Lozano, Laredo, Texas/USA vs. Susan Meylin Aguas Chala/ECU – 3rd Fight
80 kg: Robby Gonzales, Las Vegas, Nev./USA vs. Christian Javier Pinales/DOM – 8th Fight