(SEPT 9) LIVERPOOL, England -- The USA closed out day five of the 2025 World Boxing Championships with two more
victories. On this day, its 54-kilogram representative, Yoseline Perez
(Houston, Texas), and the 90-kilogram competitor Malachi Georges (Teaneck,
N.J.). Following the wins, Perez and Georges advance to the quarterfinal round
of their respective weight classes.
Yoseline Perez continued her successful 2025 campaign with a unanimous decision
victory over Ireland’s Jennifer Lehane, advancing her to the quarterfinals of
the women’s 54-kilogram division. Perez was in charge from start to finish and
utilized her length to keep Lehane at bay throughout the entirety of the bout.
After claiming a 3-2 split in the opening round, the Houston, Texas native
picked up the pace over the final six minutes and registered 5-0 scores in each
of the final two rounds.
“I decided to take a big risk today by switching to southpaw,” Perez noted about
her strategy in heading into the matchup. “It wasn’t even part of the plan, but
sometimes you’ve gotta just risk it. That’s what I did.”
Despite Lehane attempting to slow the bout with constant, for which she was
deducted a point, Perez’s movement around the ring allowed her to wear out the
Irish Olympian. Typically, an orthodox boxer, Perez decided to switch her style
for the round-of-16 matchup and fluctuated between southpaw and orthodox
stances, frustrating Lehane while limiting her typically aggressive strategy.
Malachi Georges capitalized on the moment in his matchup against Hungary’s
Levente Kiss in the 90-kilogram round of 16. The American used his athleticism
to dance in and out of range before closing out the match in the second round
with a devastating left hook to the Hungarian’s liver, dropping Kiss to the
canvas and forcing the referee to stop the bout. Georges is gaining recognition
for his ability to end a match early with his power, as he has done so twice now
within his last two international appearances.
“I’m more and more a student of the game,” Georges stated of his preparation for
Monday’s bout. “For this knockout, it was the jab. I’m growing and getting
better. I’m starting to pick up on things a lot better.”
Georges blanked Kiss with a unanimous decision in their previous meeting in Usti
Nad Labem, Czech Republic, earlier this year, showcasing his familiarity with
his Hungarian foe heading into the day. The United States’ 90-kilogram
competitor was privy to Kiss’ tendency to throw wide hooks after studying film
prior to the matchup. He was ready when the moment presented itself and struck
at the perfect opportunity to deliver the knockout blow.
Kelvin Watts was also in action for the United States in the final session of
the day against China. While the USA super heavyweight battled throughout the
bout, he was defeated via unanimous decision.
Team USA will see two boxers in action during Tuesday’s competition, including
women’s 60-kilogram competitor Jajaira Gonzalez and men’s 80-kilogram contender
Robby Gonzales. Both boxers will take the ring during the opening session, which
is slated to begin at 7 a.m. ET.
Gonzalez, a Paris 2024 Olympian, is scheduled to take on Poland’s Aneta
Rygielska in Ring B, bout six, in the round of 16 matchup, beginning at
approximately 8:15 a.m. ET. Rygielska has represented her nation three times at
world championship events and five times at the European Championships.
Gonzales will square off against Croatia’s Gabrijel Veocic in the round of 16
for the 80-kilogram division in the final bout of the opening session in Ring B,
beginning at 10:45 a.m. ET. Gonzales is on the hunt for his second world
championship and enters the bout with one win on the week. He will take on a
Croatian opponent who earned the gold medal at the 2024 European Games and
competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Every day of the 2025 World Boxing Championships will be broadcast live and free
on worldboxing.org. To follow the five remaining United States boxers competing
at the world championships, visit the USA Boxing event page. For all tournament
information, go to WorldBoxingLiverpool.com. Team USA’s complete schedule for
Tuesday’s action is listed below.
Tuesday, September 9:
Session 1:
60 kg: Jajaira Gonzalez (Glendora, Calif.) vs. Aneta Rygielska, POL - Ring A,
Bout 6 | Approximately 8:15 a.m. ET
80 kg: Robby Gonzales (Las Vegas, Nev.) vs. Gabrijel Veocic, CRO - Ring A, Bout
16 | Approximately 10:45 a.m. ET
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