IN FORM: Oshae Jones is the PanAmerican gold medallist
Photo: ACTION IMAGES
OVER eight days in December the USA boxing held trials for their Olympic squad. The top two boxers in the trials advance to the next stage of the US’ selection procedure. That starts with their squad assembling in training camp at Colorado Springs in January. The process will include a multination training camp, before they go to Bulgaria for the Strandja Tournament.
The final three box-offs took place on December 16 at Lake Charles. At 57kgs Lupe Gutierrez took a split decision victory over Andrea Medina. Javier Martinez avenged a split decision loss to Joseph Hicks, returning the favour on a split too in their final 75kgs box off. At heavyweight Darius Fulghum unanimously outpointed Jamar Talley, who’d beaten him on a split decision the previous day. Fulghum had an impressive tournament, beginning with an upset victory over top seed Adrian Tillman.