The exciting semi-finals of the Panamerican Games Qualifier produced many spectacular contests in Tijuana, Mexico, where the winners of each match advanced through to the gold medal bouts.

Bout of the day

London 2012 Olympic Games winner and defending AIBA Women’s World Champion Claressa Shields had to box Argentina’s Lucia Noelia Perez in the semi-finals, and the 20-year-old US star was at her excellent best in Mexico.

Shields used constant attacks which left her Argentine opponent unable to move forward, and the decorated American won every round of a spectacular contest.

The Women’s middleweight (75 kg) star will next meet Dominican Republic’s AMBC American Women’s Continental Champion Yenebier Guillen, who stopped Trinidad & Tobago’s Chimere Taylor in the second middleweight semi-final.

Team of the day

Colombia enjoyed a fantastic series of matches on the fourth competition day, as all six of their semi-finalists advanced to the gold medal bouts of the qualification event.

Central American & Caribbean Games silver medallist Yubergen Martinez began the perfect run as he outpointed US boxer Melik Ellison at light flyweight (49 kg).

Colombia’s South American Games winner Ceiber David Avila beat Dominican Republic’s Leonel De Los Santos in their semi-final, while veteran Faider Hernandez eliminated Argentina’s Ronan Sanchez.

Middleweight (75 kg) AMBC American Continental Champion Jorge Luis Vivas was too good for Dominican Republic’s Cheo Aponte Tournament winner Raul Sanchez, and Juan Carlos Carrillo stopped Brazil’s Michel Borges at light heavyweight (81 kg).

Heavyweight (91 kg) boxer Deivis Julio then defeated Dominican Republic’s Joaquin Berroa to complete Colombia’s sixth success on Day 4.

Surprise of the day

Nicaragua’s Kevin Adonis Arias arrived to Tijuana as a newcomer in their national team, but he has produced some remarkable work in Mexico.

Arias continued his wonderful series of performances in Mexico as he qualified for the gold medal bout after defeating veteran Victor Daniel Santillan in a scintillating light flyweight (49 kg) semi-final.

His final opponent will be Colombia’s Yubergen Martinez.

One to watch

Dominican Republic’s Central American & Caribbean games silver medallist Hector Luis Garcia lost only one bout last year, and has continued to perform at the same high level in 2015.

The Santo Domingo-based athlete did not give any chances to AIBA Team’s Jorvi Edgar Ferronan in their semi-final, as he controlled every round to win their bantamweight (56 kg) contest by unanimous decision.

Facts of the day

Six Colombians advanced to the finals in the Panamerican Games Qualifier, while the biggest surprises were delivered by the Nicaraguan and the Virgin Islands delegations as both have achieved a final place in Tijuana.

Bahamas also claimed three bronze medals in the Qualifiers. Below is a list of which countries have boxers in a gold medal bout.

• Colombia: 6 finalists
• Brazil: 5 finalists
• United States of America: 4 finalists
• Canada, Dominican Republic: 2 finalists
• Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Virgin Islands: 1 finalist

Tomorrow’s program

The finals are scheduled for the last competition day in the Panamerican Games Qualifier, where thirteen champions will be crowned.

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