Three of Team USA’s boxers inched closer to their summer holiday in Paris, courtesy of the 2024 Olympic Games World Qualifying Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy. It seems like showing up is half the battle, and winning is just a formality for these boxers as they head into the final showdown.
Roscoe Hill, hailing from Spring, Texas, put on a clinic against Jordan’s Hutaifa Eshish, making it look more like a dance rehearsal than a fight. Hill’s win was as unanimous as agreeing that pizza is best served hot. He’s now eyeing Nijat Huseynov of Azerbaijan with the enthusiasm of someone who’s just been told they have to work over the weekend.
Alyssa Mendoza from Caldwell, Idaho, decided to actually box a full three rounds this time, a novel concept in her tournament journey so far. She outclassed Korea’s Hyejeon Jin, making it clear that she’s here to do more than just enjoy the Italian cuisine. Her next performance is against Julia Szeremeta of Poland, and if excitement were a currency, she’d be filing for bankruptcy.
Omari Jones of Orlando, Fla., treated his bout against Iran’s Maghsoudi Mal Amiri Moslem like a sparring session, with the kind of dominance that makes you wonder if his opponent was just there to take in the scenic views of the arena. Jones is now setting his sights on Nishant Dev of India, with the enthusiasm of someone filling out tax forms.
With five Team USA members already packing for Paris, these three hopefuls are looking to make it a perfect ten. Because, apparently, the Olympic Games are like a party, and the more the merrier.
The coaching squad, led by Billy Walsh, is probably already drafting their victory speeches, as over 600 boxers from 113 countries duke it out for the golden ticket to the Paris Olympics. It’s like a very aggressive lottery, but with more punching and less luck involved.
Day 8 Results
51 kg: Roscoe Hill, Spring, Texas/USA, dec. over Huthaifa Eshish/JOR, 5-0
57 kg: Alyssa Mendoza, Caldwell, Idaho/USA, dec. over Hyejeon Jin/KOR, 5-0
71 kg: Omari Jones, Orlando, Fla./USA, dec. over Maghsoudi Mal Amiri Moslem/IRI, 5-0
Day 9 Schedule
51 kg: Roscoe Hill, Spring, Texas/USA, vs. Nijat Huseynov/AZE
54 kg: Shera Mae Patricio, Waianae, Hawaii/USA, vs. Jutamas Jitpong/THA
57 kg: Alyssa Mendoza, Caldwell, Idaho/USA, vs. Julia Szeremeta/POL
71 kg: Omari Jones, Orlando, Fla./USA, vs. Nishant Dev/IND
92 kg: Jamar Talley, Camden, N.J./USA, vs. Aibek Oralbay/KAZ