Team USA Claims Four Gold Medals at 2026 PanAmerican Championships

 

Credit: Bob Trieger/Full Court Press 

Press Release:  By Bob Trieger Full Court Press - (October 27, 2026) 

— PUEBLA, Mexico --

USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Team secured four gold medals at the 2026 PanAmerican Championships, after Alyssa Mendoza, Jajaira Gonzalez, Lorenzo Patricio and Gilbert Kabamba all earned victories on Saturday, October 24 inside the Miguel Hidalgo Gymnasium.

Mendoza (57 kilograms) kicked things off for the Stars and Stripes, as the Idaho native was the first American to enter the ring on Saturday. She went on to defeat Brazil’s 2024 Paris Olympian Jucie Cerqueira by unanimous decision after winning all three rounds. Mendoza had an impressive 3-0 gold medal campaign, winning every bout by unanimous decision. Her 2026 PanAmerican Championships gold medal marks her second medal of the year.

After Mendoza, Team USA saw Gonzalez (60 kilograms) win her gold medal in the second session, also by unanimous decision over Colombia’s Camila Camilo. The 2024 Paris Olympian earned three wins on her path to gold, including 3-2 wins over Canada and 5-0 wins over Brazil and Colombia. Gonzalez gold medal marks the first of the year.

On the men’s side, Patricio (55 kilograms) earned a 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Michael Trindade. The Hawaii native has been dominant for Team USA in 2026, securing a 15-2 record, three medals, and now two gold medals. Patricio secured four victories in Mexico, all by unanimous decision, in his path to Gold.

Rounding out the day for Team USA was Kabamba (90+ kilograms), who secured his third 5-0 unanimous decision win of the week after defeating Colombia’s Juan Patiño. After falling 5-0 in the first round, Kabamba responded in the second and third rounds, sweeping both to earn the unanimous decision win. This was Kabamba’s first tournament with USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Team, and he made an impressive debut, winning all his bouts by unanimous decision. This gold medal marks his second of the year, as he won gold earlier at the 2026 Copa America with USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Squad.

Also competing on Saturday were Yoseline Perez and Simona Winkler. After three competitive rounds of Olympic-style boxing, Perez unfortunately lost 5-0 to Venezuela’s Diana Maestre, and Winkler lost 4-1 to Brazil’s Viviane Pereira. Both boxers are taking home silver medals after a strong week, as each won two bouts in Mexico.

USA Boxing sent fourteen athletes to Puebla, Mexico, and eight will head home with medals. Head Coach Billy Walsh and his coaching staff led Team USA to four gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals. All medalists are listed below. After the 2026 PanAmerican Championships, Team USA closes out its international competition schedule for the year. The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team will now turn its attention to the 2027 calendar year.

Saturday, Oct. 24 Results

Women’s 57 kg: Alyssa Mendoza, USA vs. Jucie Cerqueira, BRA | W 5-0

Women’s 70 kg: Simona Winkler, USA vs. Viviane Pereira, BRA | L 4-1

Women’s 54 kg: Yoseline Perez, USA vs. Diana Maestre, VEN | L 5-0

Women’s 60 kg: Jajaira Gonzalez, USA vs. Camila Camilo, COL | W 5-0

Men’s 55 kg: Lorenzo Patricio, USA vs. Michael Trindade, BRA | W 5-0

Men’s 90+ kg: Gilbert Kabamba, USA vs. Juan Patiño, COL | W 5-0

Medalists

Men’s 55 kg: Lorenzo Patricio | Gold

Women’s 57 kg: Alyssa Mendoza | Gold

Women’s 60 kg: Jajaira Gonzalez | Gold

Men’s 90+ kg: Gilbert Kabamba | Gold

Women’s 54 kg: Yoseline Perez | Silver

Women’s 70 kg: Simona Winkler | Silver

Women’s 51 kg: Noelle Haro | Bronze

Men’s 60 kg: Salim Ellis-Bey | Bronze

About USA Boxing

USA Boxing was established to promote and grow Olympic-style boxing in the United States and to inspire the tireless pursuit of Olympic gold and enable athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence. Additionally, USA Boxing endeavors to teach all participants the character, confidence and focus they need to become resilient and diverse champions, both in and out of the ring.

USA Boxing is one team, one nation, going for gold!

Material and Photo Courtesy of: Bob Trieger - Full Court Press   Used with permission 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Team USA Secures Eight Medals At 2026 PanAmerican Championships After A Perfect Day Five

Credit: Bob Trieger/ Full Court Press 

Press Release:   By Bob Trieger - Full Court Press - PUEBLA, Mexico (October 23, 2026) – The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team notched another perfect day on Thursday at the 2026 Pan American Championships in Puebla, Mexico. Team USA was led by Lorenzo Patricio, Yoseline Perez, Jajaira Gonzalez, and Simona Winkler, with Patricio and Perez punching their ticket to the medal rounds and Gonzalez and Winkler securing spots in the finals. With Patricio and Perez advancing, Team USA officially locked up eight medals at the 2026 Pan American Championships.

Team USA got off to a strong start after Patricio earned a unanimous decision victory over Cuba’s 2024 Paris Olympian Alejandro Claro. Patricio dominated the bout, winning all three rounds to secure a 5-0 decision. Patricio improved his Team USA record to 13-2 in 2026 and secured his third medal of the year. He will now face Puerto Rico’s Yedrian Otero in Friday’s Session 2, Bout 6 semifinal at approximately 8:15 p.m. ET.

In the second session, Perez got things started for Team USA, advancing after earning a dominant victory over Colombia’s Yeni Arias. In her tournament debut, Perez advanced to the semifinals after a win by abandonment, and she will now face Canada’s Scarlett Delgado on Friday in Session 2, Bout 1, at approximately 7 p.m. ET.

Following Perez, 2024 Paris Olympian Jajaira Gonzalez secured a unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Rebeca Santos. The victory gives Gonzalez a 2-1 record against Santos across their three meetings and sends her to the finals, where she will face Colombia’s Camila Camilo on Saturday, October 24.

Simona Winkler rounded out the day for Team USA with an RSC victory over Colombia’s Deyaneira Casas. Winkler delivered three eight counts in the first round to secure her second RSC win of the tournament. Winkler advances to the finals, where she will face Brazil’s Viviane Pereira.

Team USA will continue its semifinal campaign on Friday, Oct. 23, with six boxers scheduled to compete. Noelle Haro (women’s 51 kg) will face Mexico’s Valeria Amparan in Session 1, Bout 1, at approximately 2 p.m. ET, while Alyssa Mendoza (women’s 57 kg) will take on Brazil’s Omailyn Alcala in Session 1, Bout 3, at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET. Salim Ellis-Bey (men’s 60 kg) will face Cuba’s Saidel Horta in Session 1, Bout 8, at approximately 3:45 p.m. ET. In the second session, Perez will meet Delgado at approximately 7 p.m. ET, followed by Patricio against Otero at approximately 8:15 p.m. ET. Gilbert Kabamba (men’s 90+ kg) will close out the day against Brazil’s Joel Ramos in Session 2, Bout 11, at approximately 9:30 p.m. ET.

The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team is led by Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.), who is assisted by National High Performance Coaches Nikki Burleson (Oklahoma City, Okla.), National Technical Coach Zaur Antia, and Billy Rafalko (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Jay Nimo (Dallas, Texas).

For further information on the 2026 Pan American Championships, including Brackets, Livestream, results, and more, fans can visit USA Boxing's 2026 PanAmerican Championships event page.

Thursday, October 22 Results

Men’s 55 kg: Lorenzo Patricio, USA vs. Alejandro Claro, CUB | W 5-0

Women’s 54 kg: Yoseline Perez, USA vs. Yeni Arias, COL | W ABD

Women’s 60 kg: Jajaira Gonzalez, USA vs. Rebeca Santos, BRA | W 5-0

Women’s 70 kg: Simona Winkler, USA vs. Deyaneira Casas, COL | RSC-1

Friday, October 23 Schedule

Women’s 51 kg: Noelle Haro, USA vs. Valeria Amparan, MEX | Semifinal in Session 1, Bout 1 at approximately 2 p.m. ET

Women’s 57 kg: Alyssa Mendoza, USA vs. Omailyn Alcala, BRA | Semifinal in Session 1, Bout 3 at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET

Men’s 60 kg: Salim Ellis-Bey, USA vs. Saidel Horta, CUB | Semifinal in Session 1, Bout 8 at approximately 3:45 p.m. ET

Women’s 54 kg: Yoseline Perez, USA vs. Scarlett Delgado, CAN | Semifinal in Session 2, Bout 1 at approximately 7 p.m. ET

Men’s 55 kg: Lorenzo Patricio, USA vs. Yedrian Otero, PUR | Semifinal in Session 2, Bout 6 at approximately 8:15 p.m. ET

Material and Photo Courtesy of: Bob Trieger/Full Court Press Used with permission 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Caleb Stewart-Reid Ready To Make a Name for Himself at World Boxing U19 Championships

Credit: USA Boxing 

Press Release: September 25, 2026 By Bob Trieger Full Court Press - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Caleb Stewart-Reid started boxing in 2022 after looking for a new sport to try following the COVID-19 pandemic. Just four years later, Stewart-Reid has already made a name for himself at the national level and will now have the opportunity to represent Team USA at the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships in Budva, Montenegro.

Competing at 90+ kilograms, the Palm Bay, Florida, native put together a strong 2026 season, winning the USA Boxing National Championships, Golden Gloves, and USA Boxing Summer Festival/Junior Olympics. He also gained international experience at the 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup, where he earned a bronze medal.

While boxing has quickly become a major part of his life, it is not the only sport where Stewart-Reid has found success. Away from the gym, he is the No. 1 player and captain of his high school tennis team, giving him another outlet to compete and push himself.

Now, Stewart-Reid is taking that competitive mindset to the world stage. Representing Team USA at the U19 World Championships will give him a chance to face some of the best young boxers in the world and continue building on a boxing career that only began a few years ago.

For Stewart-Reid, the goal is simple.

“A chance to make a name for myself,” stated Stewart-Reid.

After starting boxing as a new sport to try following COVID-19, Stewart-Reid has quickly worked his way onto the national and international stage. Now, with the Team USA uniform on his back, Reid is ready for his biggest opportunity yet.

The 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships will take place in Budva, Montenegro., from October 14-28. For more information on the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships, please click HERE.

INFORMATION:

Website:          www.usaboxing.org

Instagram:      @USABoxing

X:                    @USABoxing

Facebook:       #USABoxing

About USA Boxing:

USA Boxing was established to promote and grow Olympic-style boxing in the United States and to inspire the tireless pursuit of Olympic gold and enable athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence. Additionally, USA Boxing endeavors to teach all participants the character, confidence and focus they need to become resilient and diverse champions, both in and out of the ring. USA Boxing is one team, one nation, going for gold!

Material Courtesy of: Bob Trieger - Full Court Press/ Photo Courtesy of: USA Boxing Used with permission.

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Team USA Earns Five Wins at Melee Gala XI in Canada

 

Credit: USA Boxing

Press Release: September 21, 2026 By Bob Trieger Full Court Press - COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. (Sept. 20, 2026) –

USA Boxing traveled to Winnipeg, Canada, for the Melee Gala XI, where the United States faced Canada in a six-bout international duel. The Stars and Stripes went 5-1 in the international duel, behind victories by Noelle Haro, Lorenzo Patricio, Alisha Crockett, Marcus Luther, and Naomi Graham on Saturday, September 19.

Patricio kicked things off for the United States on Saturday, earning a unanimous decision victory over Canada’s Max Tomines in the 55-kilogram division. The Hawaii native improves his international record to 11-2 in 2026, while adding a gold medal from the World Boxing Cup: China 2026, and a silver medal from the 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament.

Following Patricio, Graham and Crockett carried Team USA's momentum. Graham secured a split decision victory over Canada’s Viktoria Penney in the 75-kilogram division. The 2020 Tokyo Olympian secured her second international victory of 2026. She also earned a bronze medal at the 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament earlier this year. As for Crockett, she defeated Canada’s Florence Belle Germain by a unanimous decision in the 60-kilogram division. Saturday’s win marked Crockett’s first international win of her career.

Luther and Haro continued the USA's winning streak, as Luther defeated Yacine Benaoudia by unanimous decision in the 65-kilogram division. Saturday’s win marked the Washington, D.C., native’s fifth international unanimous-decision victory in 2026 and improved his international record to 7-3. Luther recently won silver at the World Boxing Cup: China 2026.

Rounding out the day for the USA was Haro, who earned a split-decision win over Mckenzie Wright in the 51-kilogram division. The Texas native improves to 4-2 on the international stage, including a bronze medal at the World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2026.

Also entering the ring on Saturday in Winnipeg was Tyric Trapp. After three rounds of Olympic style boxing, the New Jersey native fell short to Umar Carcamo by a split decision. Trapp has a 5-4 international record in 2026, including a bronze medal at the 2026 Copa America. Team USA will now return to Colorado Springs, where the team will begin camp ahead of the 2026 Pan American Championships. The 2026 Pan American Championships will take place in Puebla, Mexico, from October 17-25. For more information on the 2026 Pan American Championships, please click

HERE

.

INFORMATION:

Website:      

www.usaboxing.org

Instagram:   @USABoxing

X:            @USABoxing

Facebook:    #USABoxing

About USA Boxing

USA Boxing was established to promote and grow Olympic-style boxing in the United States and to inspire the tireless pursuit of Olympic gold and enable athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence. Additionally, USA Boxing endeavors to teach all participants the character, confidence and focus they need to become resilient and diverse champions, both in and out of the ring.

USA Boxing is one team, one nation, going for gold!

Material Courtesy of: Bob Trieger Full Court Press/ Photo Courtesy of: USA Boxing Used with permission.

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Gilbert ‘Tonka’ Kabamba Fighting For A USA Boxing berth in the 2028 LA Olympics

 

Credit: USA Boxing

Press Release: August 6, 2026 By Bob Trieger - Full Court Press - 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (August 6, 2026) –  Olympic boxing hopeful  Gilbert “Tonka” Kabamba  has traveled a long, arduous journey on a mission to become the first super heavyweight representative of Massachusetts to go for Olympic gold. The Bay State has had three world boxing heavyweight champions (no super heavyweight division in the pro ranks), but neither  John L. Sullivan  (Roxbury section of Boston),  Rocky Marciano  (Brockton) nor  John Ruiz  was a U. S. Olympian. A native of the Democratic Republic of The Congo, Kabamba never boxed until he resettled in the Boston district of Dorchester, and he’s been making up for lost time in the Sweet Science ever since. He is eligible to become a member of the USA Boxing Olympic Team because he became a U.S. citizen in 2023. “I’m home,” the 6’ 2”, 250-pound Kabamba said. “I’m where I’m supposed to be.” Kabamba left the Congo during the long running conflict there, his family living 7 years in a Uganda refugee camp before moving to Boston in November of 2013. He was a star football player on the 2-time Massachusetts, Division One Super Bowl championship Everett High team, and when football didn’t work out for him at Merrimack College (North Andover, MA), Kabamba found boxing. “I went to a boxing gym and just started boxing,” the 25-year-old explained. “I didn’t have football anymore but I was an athlete. It’s been quite a ride with ups and downs, but I stayed with it. I’ll do anything to come back with an Olympic gold medal. I know who I am!” The boxing world is gradually discovering who Kabamba is and his next goal is to earn a spot on the 2028 USA Boxing Olympic Team to compete in Los Angeles. Massachusetts hasn’t had a male Olympic boxer in nearly a century, since New Bedford lightweight  Nathan “Nat” Boor , who captured a bronze medal, ironically, at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. (Lynn’s  Rashida Ellis  competed in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.) New England has had a pair of Olympic super heavyweights, Rhode Island’s  Jason “Big Six’ Estrada  in 2004, and Connecticut’s  Lawrence Clay-Bey , who was Captain of the 1996 USA Boxing Olympic Team. “I know that I have big shoes to fill and I’ll do my best to fight in the 2028 Olympics,” Kabamba noted. “It’s a big deal!” USA Boxing’s prestigious elite teams are precursors in terms of featuring the most hopeful Olympic boxers. Kabamba is a member of the 2026 Men’s Elite High Performance Squad, one of two super heavyweights along with  Nnajai Wright;   Kelvin Watts  is the super heavyweight on the 2026 Men’s Elite High Performance Team. The three aforementioned super heavyweight boxers are favorites to proudly wear the red, white and blue, but only one can qualify. Because Kabamba started boxing at such a relatively older age, he has been catching up with the other two much more experienced super heavyweights, but he is rapidly closing any gap there may still be. “It’s me against them but I’m the best, no questions about it,” Kabamba exclaimed. “They’ve all been boxing a lot longer than me, but I’m older and more matured. I also have a fresher body and I’m the most athletic. The key (to being selected as the 2028 USA Boxing Olympic Team’s super heavyweight) is winning matches and our sparring sessions.” Kabamba reportedly has a 42-6 (8 KOs) amateur boxing record, according to boxrec.com, highlighted by his recent gold-medal winning performance this past May in Colombia at the 2026 Copa America, dominating the action by going 7-0 in his international debut. Credit: USA Boxing A 3-time New England Golden Gloves Champion, Kabamba also won at the 2024 National Golden Gloves Tournament and 2025 International USA Open, to go with his runner-up finish at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships.

Kabamba, naturally, isn’t the same boxer he was a few years ago when he started boxing. He has been trained in Boston for the past two years by another USA Boxing product,  Mark DeLuca , a 3-time Junior Olympics Champion who turned pro after only one year competing in the open division, largely because he kept running into  Demetrious Andrade  and  Edwin Rodriguez  in national tournaments. Andrade became a 2008 Olympian and 3-time, 2-division world champion as a professional; Rodriguez was the 2005 USA Boxing Championships and 2006 National Golden Gloves champion, who had a 31-3 (20 KOs) pro record. DeLuca, known as “The Bazooka”,  was a solid pro, registering a 30-4 (18 KOs), and today he is one of the most promising, young trainers in the industry. “I used to just come forward to take my opponents’ head off like ( Mike )  Tyson ,” Kabamba described his style. “Mark changed my style; I learned how to box. Now, I’m a puncher-boxer. I always liked hitting from my football years and I’ve never been shy of contact. Some football players who tried boxing quit because they didn’t like getting hit. You’re going to get hit in boxing but it comes down to how you hit back. “ DeLuca has been training Kabamba for two years. Whenever Gilbert isn’t at training camp with his USA Boxing teammates in Colorado Springs, he returns home to Dorchester, religiously training twice a day with Deluca at Waymaker Boxing gym. “Gilbert had raw talent when he first came into our gym,” DeLuca remembered. “He was very athletic and is an exceptional worker. I knew there was a lot to work with. He’s only at 50-percent of what he can become. His ceiling is very high. He’s only 25, a baby, especially because heavyweights don’t peak until their early thirties. “He absolutely can be an Olympian. It’s good for him to train in Colorado Springs because it’s important that the coaches get to know him. It’s impossible not to love his enthusiasm. He’s a real student of boxing, too. The Olympics are still two years away, but calls (promoters and managers) are already coming. I compare him to  Evander Holyfield . Gilbert’s not tall, 6’ 2”, and is a pocket fighter like Holyfield. He has fast hands and is bigger than Holyfield at a solid 250 pounds.” The best is yet to come for Kabamba.   “My goal is to fight in the Olympics and then go pro,” Kabamba concluded. “I want to be world champion and leave a legacy like Ali and Tyson.” Then, it’ll be “Tonka Time.”

Material Courtesy of Bob Trieger Full Court Press/ Photo Courtesy of USA Boxing  Used with permission.

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

TEEN SINGER DICI WILL DONATE ROYALTIES FROM THE SONG “FIVE RINGS” TO USA BOXING CLUBS NATIONWIDE

 Press Release: July 8, 2021 By USA Boxing – Colorado Springs, CO-– USA Boxing, a non-profit organization, has announced it has a musical artist in its corner this year. Recording artist DICI will donate 100% of the net proceeds from every download of his new song, “Five Rings,” to USA Boxing to benefit their 1,700 member clubs. Beginning today, boxing and sports fans around the globe can rally behind Team USA boxers heading to Tokyo with a focus on supporting local boxing clubs that help shape the lives of future champions in and out of the ring.

Credit: USA Boxing 

 

 

Sports and music enthusiasts can go to https://dicimusic.bandcamp.com to download “Five Rings.” The cost to purchase the song is $1.00, with an option to make an additional donation of any amount to USA Boxing clubs nationwide.  Still early in its rollout, “Five Rings” is scoring rave reviews from music critics and radio stations.  

 

“Like anything in life, success comes with hard work, dedication, and sacrifice - all values found, taught, and learned inside the four walls of local USA Boxing clubs,” said Mike McAtee, Executive Director of USA Boxing. “We’re thrilled to have such a generous and talented songwriter like DICI on our team. DICI’s song “Five Rings,” provides an engaging way to showcase the sport and raise essential dollars required to keep USA Boxing clubs funded and operating on a local level,” added McAtee. 

 

Local USA Boxing clubs play a significant role in communities, especially those that are under-resourced. They offer more than just a location to train, compete, and foster future medalists. They provide a safe haven, a sense of belonging, and a place where the youth of all ages learn life skills that enable them to reach their fullest potential. More than 67% of USA Boxing’s members are multi-cultural. Through the dedication of coaches, trainers, referees, and volunteers, including first responders, hundreds of thousands of people benefit from the positive impact local USA Boxing clubs provide. 

 

The song “Five Rings” came about after DICI read a 17th Century literary classic, “The Book of Five Rings” written by Japanese swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi. “The book is all about working hard and sticking to one’s training - that’s boxing! The discipline, sacrifice, mental toughness, and grit that boxers endure reaching their peak performance is what motivated me to throw myself into my craft and dream to become a hip-hop artist. It also inspired the song’s lyrics,” explained DICI.  

 

 

Wildly hypnotic lines accompanied by an urban catchy beat include: “Five rings, five rings/I sing, I sing I’m the sky/I fly away…I’m in the wind, the sky/I’m here to win, survive.” The song’s video shows DICI focused and concentrating while simulating boxing movements. DICI was introduced to boxing thru his personal trainer and recently started taking professional lessons. His first professional boxing lesson was on camera for the making of the “Five Rings” video. He wanted to pay tribute to the sport by incorporating it into video. DICI’s compilation of songs on Youtube has reached over 1 million views.

 

Dici, 17, is multicultural of Japanese, Italian and American lineage. He resides in Miami and attended school in Japan, speaks fluent Japanese. The modern-style rapper, producer, and entrepreneur is mindful of what it takes to be successful, no matter what one pursuit. “I’m grateful to be in a position where I can help the sport of boxing and young people like myself pursue their passion. While I’m no Floyd Mayweather or Rashida Ellis, I’m honored to be part of the journey to help amateur boxers succeed,” added DICI.   

 

USA Boxing has qualified nine boxers to compete in the Tokyo Games next month in Japan, with strong medal hopefuls in all contending weight classes. To help support USA Boxing clubs nationwide, go to https://dicimusic.bandcamp.com/track/five-rings to download “Five Rings.” 

 

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: USA Boxing Used with permission.

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.