USA Boxing closes its international season in spectacular fashion as Alyssa Mendoza, Jajaira Gonzalez, Lorenzo Patricio, and Gilbert Kabamba lead an eight-medal performance in Puebla, Mexico
PUEBLA, Mexico – Team USA delivered a championship-caliber performance on Saturday, capturing four gold medals at the 2026 PanAmerican Boxing Championships and putting an emphatic finishing touch on its international competition schedule.
Inside the Miguel Hidalgo Gymnasium, USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Team showcased its talent, determination, and championship pedigree as Alyssa Mendoza, Jajaira Gonzalez, Lorenzo Patricio, and Gilbert Kabamba each fought their way to the top of the podium.
The American squad concluded the tournament with an impressive eight medals: four gold, two silver, and two bronze, with eight of its 14 competing athletes earning podium finishes.
For Team USA, the final day was more than a collection of individual victories. It was a statement about the depth and potential of American Olympic-style boxing heading into 2027.
Alyssa Mendoza Sets the Tone with Golden Performance
Alyssa Mendoza wasted little time establishing the momentum for the Stars and Stripes.
Competing in the women’s 57-kilogram division, the Idaho native opened Saturday’s championship action with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Jucie Cerqueira, a 2024 Paris Olympian.
Mendoza controlled the contest across all three rounds, earning a convincing 5-0 decision to secure her place atop the podium.
Her championship performance capped an outstanding tournament in which she finished with a perfect 3-0 record, winning every bout by unanimous decision.
The victory also marked Mendoza’s second medal of 2026, further strengthening her credentials as one of Team USA’s rising international competitors.
Jajaira Gonzalez Delivers Another Gold for Team USA
The American celebration continued in the second session as 2024 Paris Olympian Jajaira Gonzalez captured gold in the women’s 60-kilogram division.
Gonzalez defeated Colombia’s Camila Camilo by a decisive 5-0 unanimous decision, completing an impressive three-fight championship campaign.
Her road to gold included a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Canada, followed by dominant 5-0 performances against opponents from Brazil and Colombia.
The championship marked Gonzalez’s first gold medal of 2026 and provided another significant achievement for the accomplished American boxer.
Lorenzo Patricio Continues His Dominant 2026 Campaign
On the men’s side, Lorenzo Patricio continued building one of Team USA’s most impressive international campaigns of the year.
The Hawaii native captured the men’s 55-kilogram gold medal with a commanding 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Michael Trindade.
Patricio was nearly untouchable throughout the tournament, collecting four consecutive victories, all by unanimous decision.
His performance in Mexico improved his 2026 record to an outstanding 15-2, bringing his medal count for the year to three, including two gold medals.
With consistency, technical ability, and championship experience, Patricio has established himself as a formidable presence on the international stage.
Gilbert Kabamba Makes a Statement in Elite Team Debut
Gilbert Kabamba provided a fitting conclusion to Team USA’s golden Saturday, capturing the men’s 90+ kilogram championship with a unanimous decision victory over Colombia’s Juan Patiño.
Kabamba faced adversity early in the contest, dropping the opening round 5-0 before mounting an impressive comeback.
Rather than allowing the early deficit to dictate the fight, the American heavyweight responded by sweeping the second and third rounds, securing a 5-0 overall decision on the judges’ scorecards.
The victory marked Kabamba’s third unanimous decision win of the week and completed a perfect championship run in his first tournament with USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Team.
His gold medal was also his second of 2026, following an earlier championship performance at the Copa America with USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Squad.
For Kabamba, the tournament represented an impressive introduction to elite international competition.
Yoseline Perez and Simona Winkler Add Two Silver Medals
Although Team USA’s gold medal victories highlighted Saturday’s competition, Yoseline Perez and Simona Winkler also contributed valuable podium finishes.
Competing in the women’s 54-kilogram championship bout, Perez battled Venezuela’s Diana Maestre through three competitive rounds before falling by a 5-0 decision.
In the women’s 70-kilogram final, Winkler faced Brazil’s Viviane Pereira, ultimately dropping a closely contested 4-1 decision.
Both American boxers finished their respective campaigns with silver medals after securing two victories apiece during the tournament.
Their performances helped reinforce the overall strength of the American delegation.
Eight Medals and a Strong Finish for USA Boxing
Under the leadership of Head Coach Billy Walsh and his coaching staff, USA Boxing sent 14 athletes to Puebla and returned with eight medalists.
The final medal count included:
- 4 Gold Medals
- 2 Silver Medals
- 2 Bronze Medals
With the 2026 PanAmerican Championships officially concluded, Team USA now closes the book on its international competition schedule for the year.
Attention shifts toward 2027, when the Elite High Performance Team will look to build on its momentum and continue developing America’s next generation of international boxing champions.
For now, the message from Puebla is clear: Team USA finished its season on top of the podium.
2026 PanAmerican Championships: Saturday, October 24 Results
| Division | USA Boxer | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s 57 kg | Alyssa Mendoza | Jucie Cerqueira (BRA) | Win 5-0 |
| Women’s 70 kg | Simona Winkler | Viviane Pereira (BRA) | Loss 4-1 |
| Women’s 54 kg | Yoseline Perez | Diana Maestre (VEN) | Loss 5-0 |
| Women’s 60 kg | Jajaira Gonzalez | Camila Camilo (COL) | Win 5-0 |
| Men’s 55 kg | Lorenzo Patricio | Michael Trindade (BRA) | Win 5-0 |
| Men’s 90+ kg | Gilbert Kabamba | Juan Patiño (COL) | Win 5-0 |
Complete Team USA Medal Count
Gold Medalists 🥇
- Lorenzo Patricio — Men’s 55 kg
- Alyssa Mendoza — Women’s 57 kg
- Jajaira Gonzalez — Women’s 60 kg
- Gilbert Kabamba — Men’s 90+ kg
Silver Medalists 🥈
- Yoseline Perez — Women’s 54 kg
- Simona Winkler — Women’s 70 kg
Bronze Medalists 🥉
- Noelle Haro — Women’s 51 kg
- Salim Ellis-Bey — Men’s 60 kg
Final Team USA Medal Count: 8 Medals | 4 Gold | 2 Silver | 2 Bronze
