Tournament page
Thirty-three-year-old American Christopher Downs stole the plaudits on Friday at the 1st AIBA Americas Olympic Qualification Tournament in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago after sensationally beating Cuba's Julio de la Cruz Peraza 15:6 in their 81kg quarterfinal. The defeat was the first for one of boxing's proudest nations in 12 bouts and leaves USA with the only unbeaten record with four wins from four.
In what was the final bout of the day, Downs strode to an astonishing 3:0 and 12:0 lead after rounds one and two before Cruz Peraza fought back in round three to 12:5 down however, by that stage, Downs was tactically masterful in the ring. The out was from then on a formality for the 2007 Pan Am Games bronze medallist.
With two Olympic spots on offer in the 81kg division, Downs is now only one win away from an Olympic berth.
Meanwhile, one of the twins participating in this event Oscar Molina (MEX) ground out a hard fought 10:5 win over Gilbert Lenin Castillo (DOM) in their 69kg quarterfinal while the sole Virgin Island brother remaining in the competition John Jackson also progressed through to the 69kg semifinals, beating Diego Chaves (ARG) 20:10. Both have been drawn against different opponents in the semifinals as they chase the two Olympic qualification spots available in the division.
Saturday sees the second day of quarterfinals at the 1st AIBA Americas Olympic Qualification Tournament with USA's Sadam Ali up against Jesus Cuadro of Venezuela in the 60kg class starting at 14:00 (local time).
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Total Olympic Qualification vacancies for the Americas |
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Weight in kg |
1st Qualifying Tournament - Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago |
2nd Qualifying Tournament - Guatemala City, Guatemala |
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|
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Light Flyweight Up to 48kg |
Gold, Silver |
Gold, Silver, Bronze |
|
Flyweight Over 48 to 51kg |
Gold, Silver |
Gold, Silver |
|
Bantamweight Over 51 to 54kg |
Gold, Silver |
|
|
Featherweight Over 54 to 57kg |
Gold, Silver, |
Gold, Silver |
|
Lightweight Over 57 to 60kg |
Gold, Silver |
Gold, Silver, Bronze |
|
Light Welterweight Over 60 to 64kg |
Gold, Silver, Bronze |
Gold, Silver, Bronze |
|
Welterweight Over 64 to 69kg |
Gold, Silver |
Gold, Silver |
|
Middleweight Over 69 to 75kg |
Gold, Silver |
Gold, Silve |
|
Light Heavyweight Over 75 to 81kg |
Gold, Silver, Bronze |
Gold, Silver, Bronze |
|
Heavyweight Over 81 to 91kg |
Gold, Silver |
Gold |
|
Super Heavyweight +91kg |
Gold |
Gold, Silver |
|
Total |
23 Places |
23 Places |
About the International Boxing Association
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) is a non-profit making international organization, which was founded under the name Fédération Internationale de Boxe Amateur (FIBA) in 1920. In 1946 a new start was given with the launch of AIBA to replace the dissolved FIBA and now, more than 60 years later, AIBA, with its 195 member federations, continues to govern the sport of Boxing, working for the benefit of the sport and all its participants, to help Boxing realise its potential within the Olympic Movement and the international sporting arena. For more information please visit www.aiba.org
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For more information please contact the AIBA Communications Department. Telephone +41 21 321 27 77 or Richard Baker, AIBA PR and Communications Manager in the Port of Spain on mobile +41 79 316 56 09 |