AMBC American Confederation Boxing Championships: Gold medal winners revealed
Ten phenomenal gold medal bouts were held on the sixth and final competition day of the AMBC American Confederation Boxing Championships in Vargas, Venezuela.
Gold medal winners in Vargas
- 49 kg: Joahnys Oscar Argilagos Perez CUB
- 52 kg: Yoel Segundo Finol VEN
- 56 kg: Andy Cruz Gomez CUB
- 60 kg: Robson Donato Conceicao BRA
- 64 kg: Yasnier Toledo Lopez CUB
- 69 kg: Roniel Iglesias CUB
- 75 kg: Arlen Lopez CUB
- 81 kg: Albert Ramirez VEN
- 91 kg: Erislandy Savon CUB
- +91 kg: Leinier Pero CUB
Light Flyweight (49 kg) Final
Mexico’s Joselito Velasquez defeated Cuba’s Joahnys Oscar Argilagos Perez in both Season V of the World Series of Boxing, and the final of the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, but failed to make it three victories in a row after breathtaking final full of drama and intrigue.
The stamina of Perez was far superior than his Mexican rival, and the 18-year-old delivered Cuba’s first gold medal of the championships in entertaining fashion.
Flyweight (52 kg) Final
Cuba’s AIBA World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Yosbany Veitia was the overwhelming favourite of the Flyweight division, and was gunning for revenge after losing in the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games final.
Despite his impressive route to the gold medal bout, Veitia once again had to settle for silver after a terrific effort from Venezuela’s AIBA Youth World Championships quarter-finalist Yoel Segundo Finol.
The Venezuelan only moved up to Flyweight a few weeks ago, but the home star soaked up the support from his supporters in the arena to achieve the best result of his career against such a decorated opponent.
Bantamweight (56 kg) Final
Andy Cruz Gomez once again replaced London 2012 Olympic Games gold medallist Robeisy Ramirez in the Cuban squad, and after his Toronto 2015 Pan American Games gold medal, he achieved the same success in Vargas.
The 20-year-old once again had to box with Dominican Republic’s Hector Luis Garcia in a major final, and continued his excellent form with a polished performance over his talented rival.
Lightweight (60 kg) Final
One of the most anticipated finals of the AMBC American Confederation Boxing Championships was held between Cuba’s two-time AIBA World Champion Lazaro Alvarez, and Brazil’s two-time Olympian Robson Donato Conceicao.
This was a rematch of the Almaty 2013 AIBA World Boxing Championships gold medal bout which was won by Alvarez, and their second meeting was another entertaining contest, which saw Alvarez attempt to keep the distance at all times.
Conceicao’s pressure based style produced spectacular results however, with his punch output reaching fantastic levels.
The Brazilian’s use of power and speed eventually resulted in the gold medal, which was the lone triumph for his country in Vargas.
Light Welterweight (64 kg) Final
Cuba’s AIBA World Boxing Championships silver medallist Yasnier Toledo Lopez and Puerto Rico’s Danielito Zorrilla met last year in the Central American & Caribbean Games final, where the Cuban edged a close contest.
This time around the bout was not a tight one, as Toledo was kept his concentration from the beginning of the fight to the closing bell as he secured a valuable gold medal.
Welterweight (69 kg) Final
Argentina’s Alberto Ignacio Palmetta eliminated the top favourite of the category Gabriel Maestre in the semi-final of the championships, but could not maintain his momentum against Cuba’s London 2012 Olympic Games winner Roniel Iglesias.
The Cuban is in supreme form at the moment, and after a shaky season in the World Series of Boxing, is proving he is still among the best in the world.
Middleweight (75 kg) Final
Arlen Lopez continued his dominance of the Middleweight division in the American region by adding to his Toronto 2015 Pan American Games gold with another triumph in Vargas.
The 22-year-old had to battle through a tough second round against Ecuador’s APB boxer Marlo Delgado, but ultimately prevailed to win gold.
Light Heavyweight (81 kg) Final
Venezuela’s second gold medal in their home games was achieved by Albert Ramirez, who stunned two-time AIBA World Champion and Cuban team captain Julio Cesar La Cruz.
The two had previously met in the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games final where La Cruz enjoyed a superb victory, but the tide turned in Vargas as a change of tactics from Ramirez resulted in a well deserved win.
Heavyweight (91 kg) Final
Argentina’s AIBA World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Yamil Alberto Peralta entered the Heavyweight final fresh and full of confidence, but suffered a tight loss to Cuba’s Erislandy Savon, who maintained his fearsome winning streak.
Super Heavyweight (+91 kg) Final
Cuba’s Leinier Pero only moved up to Super Heavyweight last year, but his decision has already been successful after winning gold at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.
Pero’s dominated the first two rounds against Venezuela’s Edgar Munoz, and survived a challenging final frame to claim Cuba’s seventh gold medal in Vargas.
Championship facts
Cuba topped the team rankings with seven gold medals, while Venezuela secured two triumphs on home soil.
Brazil, the host of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, also reached the top of the podium at Lightweight.
Besides the established nations of the continent, Costa Rica secured a great medal in the championships.
Quote of the day
“My preparation for the AMBC American Confederation Boxing Championships was to concentrate on my speed and footwork. I am satisfied that I could improve those skills in the championships, while I also reached my main goals, the gold medal and the quota to the AIBA World Boxing Championships. I know I have to do better in Doha, but I still have time to prepare for the next event,” said Cuba’s Leinier Pero.
