At the Panamerican Games in Guadalajara, 18-year-old Dominican Dagoberto Aguero stormed into an early lead against the experienced Beijing Olympian Eddie Valenzuela from Guatemala as he peppered his opponent with flurries of punches. The fledgling star from the Domincian Republic inflicted serious damage on his rival on his way to a famous 20:13 victory, claiming in the process at least a bronze medal in Guadalajara. This young upstart is really making a name for himself on the international stage.
Cuba's Youth Olympic Games winner Robeisy Ramirez had already qualified for the London Olympic Games through the AIBA World Boxing Championships and in Mexico the 17-year-old Flyweight stopped former US National Champion John Franklin within the time to advance to the next round. Ramirez who led by large margin of points, 16:3, will now meet Mexico's Braulio Avila.
AIBA World Championships silver medallist Yasnier Toledo of Cuba showed excellent application and technique in recent tournaments. He continued this trend at the 16th Panamerican Games as well, with the 22-year-old Lightweight boxer advancing to the semi-finals after defeating Venezuela's Youth Olympic Games silver medallist Fradimil Macayo 24:5.
Brazil's Beijing Olympian Robson Conceicao who had secured his ticket to London some weeks ago guaranteed himself at least a bronze medal in Guadalajara. Brazil's Lightweight No.1 overwhelmed his American counterpart Toka Kahn-Clary 21:6 following a devastating second round.
Former AIBA Youth World Champion, 21-year-old Oscar Molina secured another medal for the host nation. He was made to work hard to earn his place in the semi-finals with Ecuador's Independence Cup winner Carlos Sanchez putting up a strong resistance against the local favourite. After six minutes, both fighters were on equal points but Molina edged it in the last round and won the Welterweight contest 13:11.
Carlos Banteur, Cuba's Beijing Olympic Games silver medallist, who had struggled of late, found his form at the right moment at the Panamerican Games. The 25-year-old Cuban Welterweight No.1 was just too strong for Venezuela's Bolivarian Alternative Games winner Gabriel Maestre as Banteur advanced to the semi-finals.
Another Cuban, 22-year-old AIBA World Champion Julio Cesar De La Cruz is the Caribbean nation's current team captain and the top favourite in the Light Heavyweight category. The Cuban star did not give any chance to former US National Champion Jeffrey Spencer and emphatically eliminated his rival 19:2.
Also in the Light Heavyweight class, Brazil's Panamerican Championships silver medallist and WSB star Yamaguchi Florentino Falcao stopped Dominican Republic's Felix Manuel Valera and secured his medal in Mexico.
Ecuador's 18-year-old AIBA Junior World Championships silver medallist and Panamerican Champion Italo Perea moved up to the Super Heavyweight category only this year. Despite his lack of experience in this division, Perea won each of the three rounds against his eleven year senior Dominican opponent Cristian Joel Cabrera, advancing to the last four with ease.
Mexico's Juan Isidro Hiracheta had a five point deficit against Venezuela's Beijing Olympian Jose David Payares but progressed after the referee stopped the contest in his favour, he now moves into the Super Heavyweight semi-finals.
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