The 16th edition of the Panamerican Games started with the preliminaries in Mexico's second largest city Guadalajara. The American Boxing Confederation organised three qualification events in the build-up to the Games so that only the best boxers from the continent would be present.
On the opening day, the women started with the quarter-finals of the Flyweight category. Defending Panamerican Women's Champion Karla Magliocco of Venezuela progressed after beating Costa Rica's top female fighter, Central American Champion Pamela Sanchez, 27:14.
Canada's 24-year-old No.1 female Flyweight Mandy Bujold had the experience to book her place in the next round as she defeated Mexico's Panamerican Games bronze medallist Silvia Torres 13:6. Colombia's South American Games bronze medallist Ingrid Valencia caused a huge surprise in her bout as she eliminating the USA Christina Cruz, Valencia was awarded the win by the judges with the scores tied.
In the men's event, Puerto Rico's new Light Flyweight sensation, the 17-year-old current National Elite Champion Jantony Ortiz, who missed the AIBA World Championships in Baku, is primed for the Panamerican Games. The Puerto Rican teenager defeated Argentina's South American Games silver medallist Junior Zarate 10:5 in impressive fashion to advance to the last eight.
Cuba's former AIBA World Champion Roniel Iglesias who last month lost unexpectedly to Ukraine's Denys Berinchyk in Baku made amends in Guadalajara. The Cuban Light Welterweight star dispatched WSB athlete Juan Pablo Romero of Mexico 17:10.
Everton Lopes, who defied the odds to secure his country first ever gold medal at the AIBA World Championships travelled to Guadalajara as firm favourite. On his debut, the Brazilian showed no mercy as eliminated the Dominican Republic's Ricardo Garcia with the referee stopping the contest in the second round.
Venezuela's big prospect, Yoelvis Hernandez will be celebrating his 18th birthday only later this year but qualified for the Panamerican Games. In his opening contest he triumphed over the young Cesar Rivas, Panama's qualification tournament's winner, in a close fought battle that ended 14:10.
Bahamas' Central American and Caribbean Games winner, Valentino Knowles suffered an early exit at the AIBA World Championships in Baku but he demonstrated his excellent repertoire in Guadalajara where he eliminated Nicaragua's Luis Amador 17:7. Knowles advanced to the quarter-final stage and is now one win away from a podium finish.
Cuba's No.1 Middleweight, Beijing Olympic Games silver medallist Emilio Correa was well below par in Baku where he was eliminated by Romania's Bogdan Juratoni in the last 16 and in the process failed to achieve Olympic qualification. At the Panamerican Games, Correa dominated his preliminary fight against US boxer Damarias Russell and ensured his place in the last eight.
Venezuela's Batalla de Carabobo Tournament winner Juan Carlos Rodriguez shocked Trinidad and Tobago's top boxer, Central American and Caribbean Games silver medallist Andrew Fermin. Rodriguez was brutal with his punching and as a result his opponent's corner threw in the towel in the second round of this Middleweight contest.
El Salvador's 'AIBA Road to Baku Program' member Jose Alfredo Bernal shocked the home crowd in Guadalajara when he eliminated the third Mexican boxer on the opening day of competition. The local Middleweight boxer Juan Mercado who had made the last 16 in Baku was disqualified in the final round of their contest, handing his opponent victory.
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