(APR 26) FOZ DO IGUACU, Brazil (April 24, 2026) – The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team saw three boxers advance to the medal rounds at the 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1 in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. Simona Winkler (70 kilograms), Salim Ellis-Bey (60 kilograms), and Noelle Haro (51 kilograms) each secured impressive victories during the day, bringing the United States to a guaranteed three medals for the tournament. The Red, White, and Blue will see all three boxers competing in Saturday’s semifinal rounds.

Winkler secured her second medal of the year after earning her second victory of the tournament. The Seattle native trailed 5-0 after the opening round but resiliently battled back to win the second and third rounds 4-1 over England’s Chantelle Reid, securing a 4-1 split decision. Reid was deducted a point in the second round. Winkler will now square off with Australia’s 2025 World Boxing Championships silver medalist Lekeisha Pergoliti in Session 1, Ring B, Bout 4, at approximately 10:45 a.m. ET.

Following Winkler, Ellis-Bey dominated once again, earning his third victory of the tournament with a 4-1 split decision over Kyrgyzstan’s Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu, a Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist. The Philadelphia native secured his first elite international medal with the win and will now square off with Canada’s 2025 World Boxing Championships quarterfinalist Keoma Al Ahmadieh in Session 1, Ring A, Bout 7, at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET.

Securing the final win of the day for Team USA was Haro, as the Texas native battled back for the second straight day. After dropping the first round 3-2, she showed her resilience and adaptability by stepping up her pace in the final two rounds, earning a 5-0 scorecard in the second round and a 4-1 scorecard in the final round. Haro’s 4-1 decision over the Dominican Republic’s Esther Jimenez marked her second victory of the week, and she now secured her first international medal. She will face France’s Romane Moulai in the semifinals in Session 2, Ring A, Bout 1, at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET.

The United States had three other competitors in action throughout Friday’s schedule, including Alyssa Mendoza (57 kilograms), Marie-Angelis Rosendo (65 kilograms), and Kelvin Watts (90+ kilograms). Mendoza fell 3-2 to Chinese Taipei’s Shih Yi Wu, Rosendo fell 5-0 to Belgium’s Oshin Derieuw, and Watts lost 4-1 to Norway’s Omar Shih.

At the World Boxing Cup - Stage 1, USA Boxing is led by Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and assisted by National Development Coach Edward Fonteneaux (Fayetteville, N.C.) and Elite High Performance Coach Nikki Burleson (Oklahoma City, Okla.).

Fans can stay updated on the USA Boxing High Performance Team at the World Boxing Cup - Stage 1 on the USA Boxing website. Brackets, broadcast information, daily schedules, and daily results will be updated on the 2026 World Boxing Cup - Stage 1 event page.

Friday, April 24, Results

Women’s 57kg: Alyssa Mendoza, USA vs. Shih Yi Wu, TPE | L 3-2
Women’s 70kg: Simona Winkler, USA vs. Chantelle Reid, ENG | W 4-1
Men’s 60kg: Salim Ellis-Bey, USA vs. Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu, KGZ | W 4-1
Women’s 51kg: Noelle Haro, USA vs. Esther Jimenez, DOM | W 4-1
Women’s 65kg: Marie-Angelis Rosendo, USA vs. Oshin Derieuw, BEL | L 5-0
Men’s 90+kg: Kelvin Watts, USA vs. Omar Shiha, NOR | L 4-1

Saturday, April 25, Schedule

Women’s 70kg: Simona Winkler, USA vs. Lekeisha Pergoliti, AUS | Session 1, Ring B, Bout 4, at approximately 10:45 a.m. ET

Men’s 60kg: Salim Ellis-Bey, USA vs. Keoma Al-Ahmadieh, CAN | Session 1, Ring A, Bout 7, at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET

Women’s 51kg: Noelle Haro, USA vs. Romane Moulai, FRA | Session 2, Ring A, Bout 1, at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET

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