PUEBLA, Mexico (October 21, 2026) – USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Team secured three more medals on day four of the 2026 PanAmerican Championships, with Noelle Haro (51 kilograms), Salim Ellis-Bey (60 kilograms) and Gilbert Kabamba (90+ kilograms) all earning unanimous decision wins to advance to the semifinals in Puebla, Mexico.
Haro made her tournament debut against Guatemala’s Dulce Diaz in the women’s 51-kilogram quarterfinals. The Texas native delivered a dominant performance, sweeping all five judges’ scorecards to earn a 5-0 victory. With the win, Haro secures her second medal of the year and advances to the semifinals, where she will face Mexico’s Valeria Amparan on Oct. 23.
Ellis-Bey continued his strong run in the men’s 60-kilogram division, earning his second 5-0 unanimous-decision win by defeating Colombia’s Duvan Zuleta. The two-time Team USA captain controlled the bout from start to finish to secure his second medal of the year and third of his career. Ellis-Bey will now face Cuba’s Saidel Horta in the semifinals on Oct. 23.
Kabamba also made his tournament debut and, like Haro, earned a 5-0 unanimous-decision win over Cuba’s Erick Castillo in the men’s 90+ kilogram quarterfinals. With Wednesday’s win, Kabamba secured his second medal of the year and his first with the USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team. He advances to the semifinals, where he will face Brazil’s Joel Ramos on Oct. 23.
Joseph Awinongya (90 kilograms) and Kendra Samargis (75 kilograms) also competed for the United States in the quarterfinals. Awinongya fell to Brazil’s Isaias Filho by a 5-0 decision, while Samargis lost to Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza by a 4-1 decision.
Team USA will have four boxers in action Thursday, with Lorenzo Patricio (55 kilograms) opening the day against Cuba’s Alejandro Claro in the quarterfinals during Session 1, Ring A, Bout 8, at approximately 3:45 p.m. ET. USA Boxing’s 2025 World Boxing Championships silver medalist Yoseline Perez (54 kilograms) will make her tournament debut and face Colombia’s Yeni Arias in the quarterfinals during Session 2, Ring A, Bout 1, at approximately 7 p.m. ET.
Jajaira Gonzalez (60 kilograms) will compete in the semifinals against Brazil’s Rebeca Santos during Session 2, Ring A, Bout 5, at approximately 8 p.m. ET. Entering the semifinal matchup, Gonzalez is 1-1 against the 2025 World Boxing Championships gold medalist. Simona Winkler (70 kilograms) will close out the day for Team USA against Colombia’s Deyaneira Casas in the semifinals during Session 2, Ring A, Bout 7, at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET. The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team is led by Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.), who is assisted by National High Performance Coaches Nikki Burleson (Oklahoma City, Okla.), National Technical Coach Zaur Antia, and Billy Rafalko (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Jay Nimo (Dallas, Texas).
The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team is led by Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.), who is assisted by National High Performance Coaches Nikki Burleson (Oklahoma City, Okla.), National Technical Coach Zaur Antia, and Billy Rafalko (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Jay Nimo (Dallas, Texas).
For further information on the 2026 Pan American Championships, including Brackets, Livestream, results, and more, fans can visit USA Boxing’s 2026 PanAmerican Championships event page.
Wednesday, Oct. 21 Results
Women’s 51 kg: Noelle Haro, USA vs. Dulce Diaz, GUA, | W 5-0
Men’s 60 kg: Salim Ellis-Bey, USA vs. Duvan Zuleta, COL | W 5-0
Men’s 90 kg: Joseph Awinongya, USA vs. Isaias Filho, BRA | L 5-0
Women’s 75 kg: Kendra Samargis, USA vs. Maryelis Yriza, VEN | L 4-1
Men’s 90+ kg: Gilbert Kabamba, USA vs. Erick Castillo, CUB | W 5-0
Thursday, Oct. 22 Schedule
Men’s 55 kg: Lorenzo Patricio, USA vs. Alejandro Claro, CUB | Quarterfinals in Session 1, Ring A, Bout 8 at approximately 3:45 p.m.
Women’s 54 kg: Yoseline Perez, USA vs. Yeni Arias, COL | Quarterfinals in Session 2, Ring A, Bout 1 at approximately 7:00 p.m.
Women’s 60 kg: Jajaira Gonzalez, USA vs. Rebeca Santos, BRA | Semifinals in Session 2, Ring A, Bout 5 at approximately 8:00 p.m.
Women’s 70 kg: Simona Winkler, USA vs. Deyaneira Casas, COL | Semifinals in Session 2, Ring A, Bout 7 at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Source/Bob Trieger
