SOFIA, Bulgaria – The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team continued its strong showing on day two of the International Strandja Boxing Tournament, securing four more victories on Tuesday in Sofia.
Three Americans advanced to the quarterfinals, while another moved on to the Round of 16 as Team USA kept its momentum rolling in one of the sport’s most prestigious international tournaments.
Perez Delivers First Women’s Victory
Yoseline Perez (Houston, Texas) wasted no time making her mark in the women’s 54kg division. Building on her success from last year’s tournament, Perez dominated Germany’s Tatjana Obermeier from start to finish.
Perez earned a unanimous 5-0 decision and punctuated her performance with an eight-count in the third round, firmly controlling the bout. The Houston native now advances to the quarterfinals, where she will face Kazakhstan’s Zhaina Shekerbekova on Thursday, Feb. 26.
Luther and Awinongya Shine in International Debuts
On the men’s side, two Team USA athletes made statement-making international debuts.
Marcus Luther (Washington, D.C.) showcased composure and power in the 65kg division. After sweeping the first round 5-0 — including a 10-8 score from one judge — Luther elevated his pace in round two. A perfectly timed right hook against Turkey’s Yigit Us forced the referee to stop the contest, awarding Luther the victory via RSC in the second round. He will now face Kazakhstan’s Yertugan Zeinulinov in the quarterfinals.
Joseph Awinongya (Joliet, Ill.) was equally dominant in the 90kg division. The Illinois native controlled every round against Romania’s Jorge Luis Mayeta, earning a clean 5-0 unanimous decision. Awinongya moves on to the quarterfinals to meet Kazakhstan’s Daulet Tulemissov on Friday, Feb. 27.
Patricio Secures Second Victory
Lorenzo Patricio (Waianae, Hawaii) picked up his second win of the tournament in the 55kg division.
After narrowly defeating Brazil’s Michael Trindade 3-2 on Monday, Patricio delivered another composed performance Tuesday in the Round of 16. He took the opening round 4-1 against Kazakhstan’s Timur Kabdeshov and closed the bout with another 4-1 decision.
Patricio now advances to face Uzbekistan’s Samandar Olimov in Friday’s quarterfinal round.
Lozano Falls in Tournament Opener
Jennifer Lozano (Laredo, Texas) opened her tournament against Uzbekistan’s Feruza Kazakova in the women’s 51kg division.
Lozano kept the contest competitive and entered the final round trailing just 2-1 on the scorecards. Despite her late efforts, she ultimately dropped a 4-1 decision.
Six More Americans Set for Action Wednesday
Team USA will return to the ring Wednesday, Feb. 25, with six athletes scheduled to compete — including four tournament debuts.
Leading off the day is team captain and 2024 Summer Olympics Olympian Alyssa Mendoza (Caldwell, Idaho), who faces Mongolia’s Nomin-Erdene Tugsjargal in session one.
Alisha Crockett (Phoenix, Arizona) will make her international debut against Kazakhstan’s Rimma Volossenko, while Marie-Angelis Rosendo (Deland, Fla.) squares off against Kazakhstan’s Laura Yessenkeldi.
On the men’s side, Salim Ellis-Bey (Philadelphia, Pa.) meets Armenia’s Artur Bazeyan, Robby Gonzales (Las Vegas, Nev.) takes on Brazil’s Wanderley Pereira, and Kelvin Watts opens his tournament in the 90+kg division against Germany’s Younes Ouchaou.
Each round of the 77th Strandja Tournament is being broadcast live on the official event page, with updates and bout sheets available through USA Boxing.
Women’s 54kg: Yoseline Perez (USA) def. Tatjana Obermeier (GER) – W 5-0
Women’s 51kg: Jennifer Lozano (USA) vs. Feruza Kazakova (UZB) – L 4-1
Men’s 55kg: Lorenzo Patricio (USA) def. Timur Kabdeshov (KAZ) – W 4-1
Men’s 65kg: Marcus Luther (USA) def. Yigit Us (TUR) – W RSC-2
Men’s 90kg: Joseph Awinongya (USA) def. Jorge Luis Mayeta (ROU) – W 5-0
Women’s 57kg: Alyssa Mendoza vs. Nomin-Erdene Tugsjargal (MGL) – ~8:00 a.m.
Women’s 60kg: Alisha Crockett vs. Rimma Volossenko (KAZ) – ~9:00 a.m.
Men’s 60kg: Salim Ellis-Bey vs. Artur Bazeyan (ARM) – ~10:30 a.m.
Women’s 65kg: Marie-Angelis Rosendo vs. Laura Yessenkeldi (KAZ) – ~11:30 a.m.
Men’s 80kg: Robby Gonzales vs. Wanderley Pereira (BRA) – ~12:30 p.m.
Men’s 90+kg: Kelvin Watts vs. Younes Ouchaou (GER) – ~1:00 p.m.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and is also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer. He’s also the main photographer for the 4CornersMafia Car Club.
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