USA Boxing's High Performance Squad Sets Sights on Gold at 2026 Copa America
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 18 May 2026
United States to Feature 11 Boxers on Day One in Colombia
GIRARDOT, Colombia (May 16, 2026) – The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad is gearing up for its second international event of the year, as Edward Fonteneaux and his team learned their path to gold during Saturday’s event draw. The 2026 Copa America will begin on Sunday, May 17, and conclude on Monday, May 25, at the Coliseo Centenario in Girardot, Colombia.
The United States will be represented by 13 boxers, eight male and five female. The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad earned eight medals at its previous international event, including three gold and one silver.
The 2026 Copa America will be a unique event, as each boxer will face every boxer in its weight class once. After nine days of Olympic-style boxing, the boxer with the best record in their bracket will claim the gold medal.
USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad will see 11 of its 13 boxers enter the ring on day one, including 2024 Paris Olympian Jennifer Lozano (51 kilograms) taking on Sara Torres in Bout 4 at approximately 2:45 p.m. ET.
Following Lozano, 2026 GeeBee Boxing Tournament silver medalist Jayshannet Zapata (54 kilograms) will box Yindi Peńa in Bout 10 at approximately 4:15 p.m. ET. Right after Zapata, Deborah Grant (57 kilograms) will return to the ring for the first time since winning gold and the Best Female Boxer Award at the 2026 GeeBee Boxing Tournament. She will face Genesis De La Rosa in Bout 11 at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET.
The United States will then have 2026 GeeBee Boxing Tournament gold medalist Moises Rodriguez (55 kilograms) square off against Miguel Ospino in Bout 18 at approximately 6:15 p.m. ET. Right after Rodriguez, Yahir Diaz-Martinez (60 kilograms) will enter the ring following his bronze medal performance at the 2026 GeeBee Boxing Tournament. Diaz-Martinez will face Johon Whanpash in Bout 19 at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET.
Two more 2026 GeeBee Boxing Tournament bronze medalists will follow Diaz-Martinez as Dustin Jimenez (65 kilograms) will face Harol Martinez in Bout 25 at approximately 8:00 p.m. ET, and Kentrell Rouser (70 kilograms) will face Duvan Cuenu in Bout 30 at approximately 9:15 p.m. ET.
After Rouser, two New Jersey natives will take the ring next for the United States, as Tyric Trapp (80 kilograms) will face Juan Diego Ortiz in Bout 33 at approximately 10:00 p.m. ET, and Malachi Georges (90 kilograms) will go head-to-head with Sebastian Ovalle in Bout 35 at approximately 10:30 p.m. ET.
Rounding out the day for the United States will be Gilbert Kabamba (90+ kilograms) against Willys Mendoza in Bout 39 at approximately 11:30 p.m. ET and two-time international gold medalist Nnajai Wright (90+ kilograms) against Gerlon Congo in Bout 42 at approximately 12:15 a.m. ET.
Throughout the competition at the 2026 Copa America, the United States will be 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). To follow USA Boxing’s 13 competitors throughout the event, visit the USA Boxing event page linked HERE.
Sunday, May 17 Schedule
Women’s 51 KG: Jennifer Lozano vs. Sara Torres, MET
Women’s 54 KG: Jayshannet Zapata vs. Yindi Peńa, MET
Women’s 57 KG: Deborah Grant vs. Genesis De La Rosa, DOM
Men’s 55 KG: Moises Rodriguez vs. Miguel Ospino, VALL
Men’s 60 KG: Yahir Diaz-Martinez vs. Johon Whanpash, ECU
Men’s 65 KG: Dustin Jimenez vs. Harol Martinez, BOG
Men’s 70 KG: Kentrell Rouser vs. Duvan Cuenu, COL
Men’s 80 KG: Tyric Trapp vs. Juan Diego Ortiz, NAR
Men's 90 KG: Malachi Georges vs. Sebastian Ovalle, BOG
Men's 90+ KG: Gilbert Kabamba vs. Willys Mendoza, COL
Men's 90+ KG: Nnajai Wright vs. Gerlon Congo, ECU
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