(JULY 4) ASTANA, Kazakhstan – Team USA is guaranteed a third medal on day five of the World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025 inside Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace in Astana, Kazakhstan, after Morelle McCane (Cleveland, Ohio) closes out her opponent in round three in the women’s 65-kilogram division. McCane is assured a bronze medal at minimum and will now move on to the semifinals following her second victory of the week.

Once again, McCane was relentless in her pursuit of victory, this time against France’s Maelys Richol on Friday at the World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025. The Cleveland, Ohio, native routinely walked down her French opponent and forced her to fight on her heels throughout the entire bout.

McCane consistently connected on several heavy-handed blows in the opening two rounds that left Richol scrambled and forced to hold McCane, which resulted in points being taken away from the French national throughout the first six minutes of action. In the final round, McCane continued her onslaught, and Richol was called for holding once again, resulting in a third point being taken away from her and effectively ending the match in McCane’s favor.

Following her second victory of the week, McCane enters the medal rounds and will take on Uzbekistan’s Navbakhor Khamidova on Saturday, July 5. With two sessions on the schedule for Saturday’s action, McCane and Khamidova will square off in session two, Ring B, bout three at approximately 10:30 a.m. ET.

Also in action for Team USA on Thursday was Rene Camacho (Houston, Texas) in the men’s 65kg division. Camacho continued to show out in his young international career but was defeated by India’s Abhinash Jamwal in the quarterfinals.

Saturday’s slate will feature two Team USA athletes, Yoseline Perez (women’s 54 kg) and McCane, contending for a spot in the gold medal matches of their respective divisions. Perez will take on Poland’s Wiktoria Rogalinska in session one, Ring B, bout two at approximately 5:15 a.m. ET.

Robby Gonzales (men’s 80 kg) was also scheduled to compete in a semifinal bout on Saturday, but due to medical reasons, Team USA withdrew him from competition. Gonzales closes his stint at the World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025 with a bronze medal after the medical walkover and will return to competition at the inaugural World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, England (Sept. 4-14).

Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.) leads the charge for Team USA at the World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025. National Resident Coach Timothy Nolan (Rochester, N.Y.), Nicole Burleson (Bethany, Okla.), and Eric Zimmerman (Alexandria, Va.) will continue to assist Coach Walsh throughout the week.
 

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