In a little Italian town called Busto Arsizio, Team USA’s boxing crew just got the lowdown on their initial rivals for the 2024 World Qualifier Tournament. This bash is the second round of Olympic qualifiers, setting the stage for the big leap to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. From tomorrow till March 11, it’s game on for the eight Americans throwing punches.
This global face-off is pulling in 602 fighters from 113 countries, all duking it out for a shot at Paris. With 49 spots up for grabs, it’s a tight squeeze to the top. Our squad’s got to land in the top four, except for Alyssa Mendoza, who’s aiming for the top two in her division.
Kicking things off, Roscoe Hill’s gearing up to tangle with Turkmenistan’s Daniyar Rozmetov. Hill’s got his eyes on the prize, hoping to mirror his bronze-winning antics from the Pan American Games. Next up, Alyssa Mendoza squares up against Mexico’s Jennifer Carrillo, a featherweight force and a youthful prodigy on Team USA.
The spotlight on Monday shines on Robby Gonzales as he steps into the ring with Eldric Sella of the IOC Refugee Team. With gold from the 2021 World Championships, Gonzales is all in for his Olympic dream.
Come Tuesday, Emilio Garcia and Omari Jones are set to dazzle in their World Qualifier firsts. Garcia’s up against Israel’s Ahmad Shtiwi in what’s billed as a clash of the titans, while Jones takes a swing at Aliaksandr Radzionau, a seasoned Olympic competitor.
Midweek brings Naomi Graham into the fray, taking on Cindy Ngamba from the IOC Refugee Team. Graham’s not new to the Olympic hustle and is eyeing her second run.
Rounding out the week, Shera Mae Patricio and Jamar Talley step into the limelight, ready to carve their paths towards Olympic glory. Patricio’s got a date with destiny, facing either Puerto Rico’s Angelyris Lopez or Togo’s Coletivi Dechey Yetongnon, while Talley throws down with Morocco’s Ayoub Maanni.
Guiding the team through the tournament’s twists and turns are USA Boxing’s finest: Head Coach Billy Walsh, alongside his coaching posse, ready to steer the squad to victory.
Team USA Opening Bout Schedule
Sunday, March 3
51 kg: Roscoe Hill, Spring, Texas/USA, vs. Daniyar Rozmetov, TKM
57 kg: Alyssa Mendoza, Caldwell, Idaho/USA, vs. Jennifer Carrillo, MEX
Monday, March 4
80 kg: Robby Gonzales, Las Vegas, Nev./USA, vs. Eldric Sella/BRT
Tuesday, March 5
63.5 kg: Emilio Garcia, Laredo, Texas/USA, vs. Ahmad Shtiwi/ISR
71 kg: Omari Jones, Orlando, Fla./USA, vs. Aliaksandr Radzionau, INA
Wednesday, March 6
75 kg: Naomi Graham, Fayetteville, N.C./USA, vs. Cindy Ngamba/BRT
Thursday, March 7
54 kg: Shera Mae Patricio, Waianae, Hawaii/ USA vs. winner of Angelyris Lopez/PUR vs. Coletivi Dechey Yetongnon/TOG
92 kg: Jamar Talley, Camden, N.J./USA, vs. Ayoub Maanni/MAR