Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 11 Apr 2026
Team USA’s Unbeaten Run Continues in Helsinki
HELSINKI, Finland. (April 10, 2026) – USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Squad carries its dominant start into day two at the 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament in Helsinki, Finland. The United States saw four boxers enter the ring on Friday and remained undefeated on the week, bringing the roster to an impressive 7-0 start in Helsinki through the opening two days of competition.
Kicking things off for the USA on Friday was Jayshannet Zapata (54 kilograms), who secured the second international victory of her amateur career and her first unanimous decision of the tournament. Zapata earned a 5-0 win over Switzerland’s Miette Bagutti after earning every judge's scorecard in the second and third rounds. With Friday's win, Zapata has clinched her first international medal. She advances to the semifinals, where she will square off with Wales' Helen Jones on Saturday in Session 1, Bout 3, at approximately 5:30 a.m ET.
Following Zapata, Team USA saw three more Americans make their international debut, including Deborah Grant (57 kilograms), Yahir Diaz-Martinez (60 kilograms) and Kentrell Rouser (70 kilograms). Grant earned another 5-0 unanimous decision victory for the Stars and Stripes and defeated Belgium’s Ana Khunjua.
Grant dominated from start to finish in her bout, nabbing every judge's scorecard in the process. She advances to the semifinals and has assured herself the first international medal of her career. Grant will enter the ring Saturday against Finland’s Anna Tyni in Session 2 Bout 3 at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET.
Diaz-Martinez also made his tournament debut with a unanimous decision. He never dropped a card throughout the bout and dominated Belgium’s Nadir Boulaiz. After earning a 10-8 score in the final round, he will now move on to the semifinals and is guaranteed his first international medal. He will now face the Netherlands’ Mahmoud al Chabtun on Saturday in Session 2, Bout 5, at approximately noon ET.
Rounding out day two for the United States was Rouser, who earned his first international win with a 4-1 split decision victory over Switzerland’s Timm Kellenberger. Rouser got off to a hot start, winning the first two rounds 4-1, and delivered an 8-count to Kellenberger in the first and second rounds. With the win, Rouser clinched a spot in the semifinals and his first international medal. He will now face the Netherlands’ Finn Bos in Session 2, Bout 10, at approximately 1:15 p.m. ET.
Team USA will have all eight boxers competing Saturday, all of whom are looking to punch their ticket to the gold medal rounds. Two boxers will make their tournament debut on Saturday, filling out the busy day for the USA. Moises Rodriguez (55 kilograms) will face Sweden’s Joshua Muyinda, and Nnajai Wright (90+ Kilograms) will face Denmark’s David Bakhsh.
Rodriguez will make his international debut against Muyinda at approximately 6:15 a.m. ET in Session 1, Bout 5. Wright will return to the international stage after winning gold at the Brandenburg Cup in July and will go head-to-head with Bakhsh at approximately 8:45 a.m. ET in Session 1 Bout 16. Saturday's bout marks Wright's elite international debut.
Dustin Jimenez (65 kilograms) will return to the ring and will also box in Session 1 on Saturday. The New York native will enter the ring against France’s Mohamed Ounai in Bout 8 at approximately 6:45 a.m. ET. Also returning to the ring will be Alexis Proctor, who will square off against Norway's Madeleine Angelsen. Proctor will box in Session 2, Bout 8, at approximately 12:45 p.m. ET.
Throughout the competition at the 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament, the United States will be led by USA Boxing’s National Development Coach Edward Fonteneaux (Fayetteville, N.C.), and assisted by Holly Gregson (Idaho Falls, Idaho), Billy Rafalko (Philadelphia, Pa.), and Ronald Wright (Columbus, Ga.).
Throughout two days of competition, the USA guaranteed medals from all eight of its boxers, showcasing the depth and talent present within the USA Boxing organization Additional tournament information for the 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament, including the broadcast information, daily bout sheets, results, tournament updates, and more, will be uploaded to the event page on the USA Boxing website, where followers can find the 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament.
Friday, April 10 Results
Women’s 54 KG: Jayshannet Zapata, USA vs. Miette Bagutti, SUI W | 5-0
Women’s 57 KG: Deborah Grant, USA vs. Ana Khunjua, BEL W | 5-0
Men’s 60 KG: Yahir Diaz-Martinez, USA vs. Nadir Boulaiz, BEL W | 5-0
Men’s 70 KG: Kentrell Rouser, USA vs. Timm Kellenberger, SUI W | 4-1
Saturday, April 11
Session 1
Women’s 54 KG: Jayshannet Zapata, USA vs. Helen Jones, WAL
Men’s 55 KG: Moises Rodriguez, USA vs. Joshua Muyinda, SWE
Men’s 65 KG: Dustin Jimenez vs. Mohamed Ouna, FRA Men’s 90+ KG: Nnajai Wright vs. David Bakhsh, DEN
Session 2
Women’s 57 KG: Deborah Grant, USA vs. Anna Tyni, FIN
Men’s 60 KG: Yahir Diaz-Martinez, USA vs. Mahmoud al Chabtun, NED
Women’s 65 KG: Alexis Proctor, USA vs. Madeleine Angelsen, NOR
Men’s 70 KG: Kentrell Rouser, USA vs. Finn Bos, NED
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