At the E-Work Arena in Busto Arsizio, Italy, things got heated as boxers threw down in a display of skill and grit.
Shera Mae Patricio from Waianae, Hawaii, was all business as she faced off against Angel Yris Lopez from Puerto Rico. With a bye in the opening round, Patricio was itching to step into the ring and didn’t disappoint. She unleashed a barrage of combos and targeted the body, leaving the judges with no choice but to give her all the cards. She maintained her aggressive approach, sealing the deal with a unanimous win. Patricio’s set to throw down with Sofia Micaela Robles from Argentina next.
“I’m pumped after that win,” Patricio shared, still buzzing from the victory. “Been itching to get in there since day one. Still got two more fights to go, though, so can’t chill just yet.”
Alyssa Mendoza from Caldwell, Idaho, was next, aiming to add another win to Team USA’s tally. Up against Satsuki Yoshizawa from Japan, Mendoza’s counterpunches did some damage, even causing a nosebleed, but the round still went to Yoshiza. Down but not out, Mendoza turned up the heat, focusing on Yoshiza’s bleeding nose. Her efforts paid off when the fight was halted, and she clinched a split decision win. Mendoza’s next challenge is Nisrine Amine from Morocco.
“Coach gave me the heads-up I was trailing, and that was all I needed,” Mendoza said. “Saw the nosebleed and went all in.”
Omari Jones from Orlando, Florida, kept the wins coming, securing a unanimous victory over Mohamed Rachem from Belgium. Jones dominated with his jab, smoothly moving on to the next round where he’ll face Moslem Maghsoudi Mal Amiri from Iran.
“Feeling blessed with the win,” Jones remarked. “Just taking it one fight at a time.”
The day wrapped up with heavyweight Jamar Talley from Camden, N.J., showing Morocco’s Ayoub Maanni how it’s done. Talley was relentless, earning a standing eight count for Maanni early on and cruising to a unanimous win. Talley’s now set to square off against Narek Manasyan from Armenia.
“Kicked off the tournament with a solid win,” Talley stated. “Just gonna keep honing my skills as we go.”
Robby Gonzales from Las Vegas, Nev., is also set to join the fray, facing Andrej Csernez from Slovakia.