2020 USA Boxing Youth National Champions Julius Ballo (San Diego, Calif.) and Quincey Williams (Washington, D.C.) made impressive debuts today during the first day of competition at the 2021 Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia.
Ballo started the day in dominating fashion over Lucas Conoe of Uruguay in the 57 kg division. The American grabbed all five judges’ cards in round one with strong combination work. Ballo continued to show complete dominance in the remaining two rounds, earning numerous 10-8 cards from the judges’ before being announced the winner and advance to the semifinals.
Ballo’s victory guarantees himself a medal and will return to the ring later this week for a semifinal matchup against Colon Yediel of Puerto Rico.
Williams continued Team USA’s winning ways with his own unanimous decision victory over Angel Llanos of Puerto Rico to advance to the second round of the 69 kg division. Williams was able to take three out of the five judges’ cards at the end of the first round before seeing Llanos’ inch closer at the end of the second round that saw Williams up on two cards and tied on the other three.
With the fight on the line, Williams closed out the bout with strong body work to take the round 5-0 and the bout overall by unanimous decision. He will return to the ring tomorrow to face Kevin Cantabrana of Mexico.
Team USA will have four boxers join Williams’ tomorrow, Santiago Franco (Portland, Ore.), Jesikah Guerra (Victorville, Calif.), Sativa James (Dixon, Calif.), Donte Layne (Elmont, N.Y.) and Steven Navarro (Los Angeles, Calif.). The four male boxers will compete in the first session of the day, beginning at 3:00 p.m. EST, while the two female boxers will compete in the evening session that starts at 6:30 p.m. EST.
This event is the inaugural Junior Pan American Games and has over 100 boxers from 23 different countries from North, South and Central America looking to make history this week in Colombia. Team USA is being guided by National Developmental Coach Chad Wigle (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Adonis Frazier (Minneapolis, Minn.) and Nora Trujillo (Richmond, Texas).
Day 1 Results
57 kg: Julius Ballo, San Diego, Calif./USA, dec. over Lucas Conoe/URU, 5-0
69 kg: Quincey Williams, Washington, D.C./USA, dec. over Angel Llanos/PUR, 5-0
Day 2 Schedule
52 kg: Steven Navarro, Los Angeles, Calif./USA, vs. Jose Luis De Los Santos/DOM
69 kg: Jesikah Guerra, Victorville, Calif./USA, vs. Hilary Carrera/DOM
69 kg: Quincey Williams, Washington, D.C./USA, vs. Kevin Cantabrana/MEX
75 kg: Sativa James, Dixon, Calif./USA, vs. Darianne Hernandez/MEX
75 kg: Donte Layne, Elmont, N.Y./USA, vs. Felix Rivas/PUR
81 kg: Santiago Franco, Portland, Ore./USA, vs. Omar Leones/VEN
