(MAY 26) Let's give a huge "shoutout" to our USA Amateur boxers!  in Ggiradot, Colombia,  USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Squad earned four gold medals, five silver medals, and four bronze medals at the 2026 Copa America. The United States concluded the competition with all 13 boxers earning medals.

Deborah Grant was the first of the seven boxers to enter the ring on Monday, and the North Carolina native earned a 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Jackelin Galves. Grant won every judge's vote in all three rounds, securing her fifth win of the event and third win by unanimous decision. Grant finished the 2026 Copa America event with a 5-2 record, earning the silver medal in the women’s 57-kilogram weight division. This marks Grant’s second international medal in 2026, as she previously won gold and the Best Female Boxer of the Tournament award at the 2026 Gee Bee Tournament in Helsinki, Finland.

Also, entering the ring from the women’s team on Monday and earning a 4-1 split decision was Kendra Samargis (75 kilograms). The Idaho native secured a dominant 3-0 record in Colombia, with two of her three wins coming as unanimous decision victories. Samargis’ undefeated run earned the first international gold medal of her amateur career in the women’s 75-kilogram weight division.

On the men’s side, Team USA saw Moises Rodriguez complete his perfect Copa America run, securing a 4-1 win over Michael Zabaleta. The Texas native finished an eye-popping 7-0 in Colombia, including Monday’s win after overcoming a 5-0 deficit in the opening round. Rodriguez earned four unanimous decision wins, two 4-1 split decision wins, and one walkover win at the 2026 Copa America. His 7-0 record earned him the gold medal in the men’s 55-kilogram weight division, marking his second international gold medal in 2026.

Following Rodriguez, Yahir Diaz-Martinez (60 kilograms) secured a 5-0 unanimous decision win over Gustavo Carrasco. Diaz-Martinez earned the second international medal of his career, as Monday’s win improved him to a 5-2 record, securing the silver medal at the 2026 Copa America.

Rounding out the competition and the evening for Team USA in Colombia was Tyric Trapp (80 kilograms). The New Jersey native finished the 2026 Copa America with a bronze medal and a record of 5-2 after a 4-1 split decision loss on Monday.

Earning victories by walkover on Monday were Jennifer Lozano (51 kilograms) and Alexis Proctor (60 kilograms). Lozano’s perfect run in Colombia concludes with a gold medal and a 7-0 record. The Texas native earned three wins by RSC and two by unanimous decisions. As for Proctor, she ended her run in Colombia on a three-bout win streak, finishing 3-2 and leaving with a bronze medal.

Not boxing on Monday for USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Squad, but earning medals included Jayshannet Zapata (54 kilograms), Dustin Jimenez (65 kilograms), Kentrell Rouser (70 kilograms), Malachi Georges (90 kilograms), Gilbert Kabamba (90+ kilograms), and Nnajai Wright (90+ kilograms).

Zapata and Rouser earned bronze medals at the 2026 Copa America, marking each boxer's second bronze medal. Zapata finished with a 4-3 record in Colombia, with two wins by unanimous decision and one by RSC in the first round. As for Rouser, he finished 4-2 with two unanimous decision wins and one 4-1 split decision win. Rouser was withdrawn from the event on Sunday as a precautionary measure due to medical reasons.

Earning silver in Colombia included Jimenez, Georges, and Wright. Jimenez finished 6-1 with three unanimous decision victories and one RSC win. The silver medal marks Jimenez’s second international medal. As for Georges, the New Jersey native also finished 6-1, with two RSC victories and one 5-0 unanimous decision win, earning his second international silver medal in his amateur career. Lastly, Wright finished 6-1 with four 5-0 unanimous decision victories. Wright's 2026 Copa America silver medal marks his third international medal.

Rounding out Team USA in Colombia was Kabamba, who earned Team USA's fourth gold medal of the event after going 7-0 in Colombia. Kabamba's gold medal is his first international medal, as Colombia marked his international debut.

Throughout the competition at the 2026 Copa America, the United States was led by USA Boxing National Development Coach Edward Fonteneaux (Fayetteville, N.C.), with assistance from Alex Love (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Billy Rafalko (Philadelphia, Pa.), and Jeffrey Nimo (Grand Prairie, Texas).
 

 

 

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