Team USA Youth High Performance Path To Gold Set

For 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships!

By: USA Boxing

(October 15th) Brackets have been announced for the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships, which will begin Friday, Oct. 16, in Budva, Montenegro. USA Boxing will send 15 Youth High Performance boxers, including eight men and seven women, to compete at the 12-day tournament inside the Mediterranean Sports Venue. The competition will run from October 16 through October 27.

Team USA enters the tournament following a strong performance at the 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup in Thailand, where the team earned four gold medals, one silver medal and four bronze medals. Christian Paez (Men’s 55 kg | San Antonio, Texas), Guadalupe Ruiz (Women’s 54 kg | Anaheim, Calif.), Brijhana Epperson (Women’s 57 kg | Kansas City, Mo.) and Lauryn Elmore (Women’s 65 kg | Sacramento, Calif.) each captured gold. Asaan Jenkins (Men’s 65 kg | Washington, D.C.), Caleb Reid (Men’s 90+ kg | Palm Bay, Fla.), Marley McNealy (Women’s 70 kg | San Francisco, Calif.) and Ariana Chavez (Women’s 75 kg | Rio Rancho, N.M.) also earned bronze medals, while Angel Blancarte captured silver.

Team USA will begin competition on Friday, Oct. 16, with Caleb Reid (Men’s 90+ kg | Palm Bay, Fla.) facing Mexico’s Jose Pacheco in the round of 16. Reid will look to build on his bronze medal experience as the lone American on Friday.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, Asaan Jenkins (Men’s 65 kg | Washington, D.C.) will open his tournament against Austria’s Ivan Bezuhlyi in the round of 64. Jenkins comes off a bronze medal run in Thailand after going 3-1, including three unanimous-decision victories.

Moving into Sunday, Oct. 18, four Americans will enter the ring. On the men’s side, Refugio Veloz (Men’s 50 kg | Atwater, Calif.) will face Ireland’s Caoimhin Connolly in the round of 32, and World Boxing Futures Cup gold medalist Christian Paez (Men’s 55 kg | San Antonio, Texas), who earned a bye, will face India’s Aditya Aditya in the round of 32. On the women’s side, Ciana Nonhphala (Women’s 48 kg | Providence, R.I.) will square off against Armenia’s Hamest Afrikyan, while Brijhana Epperson (Women’s 57 kg | Kansas City, Mo.) will take on England’s Siobhan Haley. Both women will compete in the round of 32.

Team USA will have four more boxers in action to make their debut on Monday, Oct. 19, as David Arrieta (Men’s 60 kg | Kansas City, Mo.) earned a bye and will face Lithuania’s Simonas Puniskis in the round of 32.  Also on the men's side are Asante Lamar (Men’s 70 kg | Cincinnati, Ohio) and James Gentile (Men’s 75 kg | Staten Island, N.Y.). Lamar earned a bye and will meet Turkmenistan’s Muhammet Rejepov in the round of 32, while Gentile will face Albania’s Valo Valo in the round of 32. Rounding out Monday on the women’s side is Guadalupe Ruiz (Women’s 54 kg | Anaheim, Calif.). The World Boxing Futures Cup gold medalist earned a bye and will face Russia’s Kristina Borisenko in the round of 16. Ruiz went a dominant 5-0 in Thailand, including two wins by RSC and two wins by unanimous decisions.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, Ruby Lopez (Women’s 51 kg | Napa, Calif.) will face Latvia’s Jelizaveta Trusa in the round of 32, and Hadi Almashhadi (Men’s 80 kg | Taylor, Mich.) will return to the ring after earning a bye. He will face Ukraine’s Tymur Karaivan in the round of 32.

Also on Wednesday, October 21, World Boxing Futures Cup gold medalist Lauryn Elmore (Women’s 65 kg | Sacramento, Calif.) will face the winner of Belgium’s Stacey Kaersoel and Lithuania’s Luka Vitkute in the round of 16, while Marley McNealy (Women’s 70 kg | San Francisco, Calif.) will take on Italy’s Sara Scorrano in the round of 16. Elmore represents as Team USA's captain and has an impressive 4-1 international record, after winning bronze at the 2025 Brandenburg Cup in Germany.

Rounding out Team USA’s opening bouts is Ariana Chavez (Women’s 75 kg | Rio Rancho, N.M.), who will face Ukraine’s Iryna Onopriienko in the round of 16 on Thursday, Oct. 22.

The USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team is led by National Development Coach Stephen Grand (Nashville, Tenn.), who is supported by High Performance Pool coaches Holly Gregson (Idaho Falls, Idaho), Jason Hamilton (Spanaway, Wash.) and Ronald Wright (Columbus, Ga.).

Schedule

Friday, Oct. 16

Men’s 90+ kg: Caleb Reid, USA vs. Jose Pacheco, MEX - Round of 16

Saturday, Oct. 17

Men’s 65 kg: Asaan Jenkins, USA vs. Ivan Bezuhlyi, AUT - Round of 64

Sunday, Oct. 18

Men’s 50 kg: Refugio Veloz, USA vs. Caoimhin Connolly, IRL - Round of 32

Men’s 55 kg: Christian Paez, USA vs. Aditya Aditya, IND - Round of 32

Women’s 48 kg: Ciana Nonhphala, USA vs. Hamest Afrikyan, ARM - Round of 32

Women’s 57 kg: Brijhana Epperson, USA vs. Siobhan Haley, ENG - Round of 32

Monday, Oct. 19

Men’s 60 kg: David Arrieta, USA vs. Simonas Puniskis, LTU - Round of 32

Men’s 70 kg: Asante Lamar, USA vs. Muhammet Rejepov, TKM - Round of 32

Men’s 75 kg: James Gentile, USA vs. Valo Valo, ALB - Round of 32

Women’s 54 kg: Guadalupe Ruiz, USA vs. Kristina Borisenko, RUS - Round of 16

Tuesday, Oct. 20

Women’s 51 kg: Ruby Lopez, USA vs. Jelizaveta Trusa, LAT - Round of 32

Men’s 80 kg: Hadi Almashhadi, USA vs. Tymur Karaivan, UKR - Round of 32

Wednesday, Oct. 21

Women’s 65 kg: Lauryn Elmore, USA vs. winner of Stacey Kaersoel, BEL, vs. Luka Vitkute, LTU - Round of 16

Women’s 70 kg: Marley McNealy, USA vs. Sara Scorrano, ITA - Round of 16

Thursday, Oct. 22

Women’s 75 kg: Ariana Chavez, USA vs. Iryna Onopriienko, UKR - Round of 16

The USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team is traveling to Budva, Montenegro, for the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships. Team USA is sending 15 boxers to Montenegro, including eight men and seven women. For the full roster, see below.

The 12-day competition will run from October 16 to 27 and will be held inside the Mediterranean Sports Venue. Team USA enters the tournament following a strong performance at the 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup in Thailand, where the team earned four gold medals, one silver medal, and four bronze medals. Nine members of the Youth High Performance Team earned medals in Thailand, led by gold medalists Guadalupe Ruiz (women’s 54 kg | Anaheim, Calif.), Christian Paez (men’s 55 kg | San Antonio, Texas), Brijhana Epperson (women’s 57 kg | Kansas City, Mo.) and Lauryn Elmore (women’s 65 kg | Sacramento, Calif.).

Asaan Jenkins (men’s 65 kg | Washington, D.C.), Caleb Reid (men’s 90+ kg | Palm Bay, Fla.), Marley McNealy (women’s 70 kg | San Francisco, Calif.) and Ariana Chavez (women’s 75 kg | Rio Rancho, N.M.) also each earned bronze.

Now, USA Boxing will turn its attention to the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships, which will give Team USA another opportunity to compete internationally and build on the experience gained in Thailand.

The USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team is led by National Development Coach Stephen Grand (Nashville, Tenn.), who is supported by High Performance Pool coaches Holly Gregson (Idaho Falls, Idaho), Jason Hamilton (Spanaway, Wash.), and Ronald Wright (Columbus, Ga.).

Additional tournament information, including brackets, bout sheets, results, and updates, will be available at the event page, HERE.

2026 World Boxing U19 Championships | USA Boxing Men's Roster:

Refugio Veloz (50 kg | Atwater, Calif.)

Christian Paez (55 kg | San Antonio, Texas)

David Arrieta (60 kg | Kansas City, Mo.)

Asaan Jenkins (65 kg | Washington, D.C.)

Asante Lamar (70 kg | Cincinnati, Ohio)

James Gentile (75 kg | Staten Island, N.Y.)

Hadi Almashhadi (80 kg | Taylor, Mich.) Caleb Reid (90+ kg | Palm Bay, Fla.)

2026 World Boxing U19 Championships | USA Boxing Women’s Roster:

Ciana Nonhphala (48 kg | Providence, R.I.)

Ruby Lopez (51 kg | Napa, Calif.)

Guadalupe Ruiz (54 kg | Anaheim, Calif.)

Brijhana Epperson (57 kg | Kansas City, Mo.)

Lauryn Elmore (65 kg | Sacramento, Calif.)

Marley McNealy (70 kg | San Francisco, Calif.)

Ariana Chavez (75 kg | Rio Rancho, N.M.)

USA Boxing Announces 2026

PanAmerican Championships Roster!

By: Luke Santangelo, USA Boxing

(October 7th) The USA Boxing High Performance Department has announced its competition roster for the 2026 PanAmerican Championships, taking place in Puebla, Mexico, from October 18 to 24. Fourteen athletes will travel to the PanAmerican Championships to contend for gold medals across as many weight classes. The PanAmerican Championships will then take place inside Miguel Hidalgo Gymnasium.

Among the United States contingent traveling to the PanAmerican Championships will be seven men and seven women competing for Team USA. Before beginning competition in Puebla, the 14 athletes will participate in a multination camp in Mexico City from October 6-16.

The 2026 USA Boxing High Performance selection procedures state that to retain a position on the High Performance Team, Team members must win a minimum of two (2) medals at an international competition leading up to September. Following the High Performance procedures, a re-evaluation was conducted by the USA Boxing High Performance Department for the men’s 60-kilogram, men’s 65-kilogram, men’s 80-kilogram, men’s 90-kilogram, men’s 90+ kilogram, women’s 51-kilogram, women’s 54-kilogram, women’s 57-kilogram, women’s 60-kilogram, women’s 65-kilogram, and women’s 75-kilogram weight classes.

Following that re-evaluation, Noelle Haro (women’s 51 kg), Yoseline Perez (women’s 54 kg), Alyssa Mendoza (women’s 57 kg), Jajaira Gonzalez (women’s 60 kg), Marie Rosendo (women’s 65-kilogram), and Kendra Samargis (women’s 75-kilogram) were selected on the women’s team. As for the men’s side, Salim Ellis-Bey (men’s 60-kilogram), Marcus Luther (65-kilogram), Rahim Gonzales (80-kilogram), Joseph Awinongya (men’s 90-kilogram), and Gilbert Kabamba (men’s 90+ kilogram) to represent the United States in their respective weight classes in the upcoming PanAmerican Championships.

A full list of Team USA’s scheduled competitors at the PanAmerican Championships is listed below. The USA Boxing Elite High Performance team departed for the multination camp in Mexico City Tuesday morning, preparing for the upcoming championships. Following the 11-day camp in Mexico City, the team will travel to Puebla on Friday, October 16, to attend the competition.

The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team is led by head coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.). Walsh is assisted by National High Performance Coach Nikki Burleson (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and Billy Rafalko (Philadelphia, Pa.)

 Kaylee Aguilar Looking To Take Next Step

With Team USA At U19 World Boxing Championships!

By: USA Boxing

(October 5th) Kaylee Aguilar started boxing in 2021 at Tigrillo’s Boxing Club, where she trains with Coach Tigrillo. Just a few years later, Aguilar has built a strong résumé and earned the opportunity to represent Team USA at the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships in Budva, Montenegro.

Aguilar won the 2023 USA Boxing National Championships and followed that with a silver medal at the 2024 USA Boxing Junior Olympics. In 2025, she continued to find success, winning the USA Boxing International Open, National Open and National Championships.
 

Her success has also carried over to the international level. Aguilar was selected to USA Boxing’s Youth High Performance Team in 2026 and competed at the 2026 World Boxing U19 Futures Cup in Thailand earlier this year.

While the Houston, Texas native has continued to add to her résumé, she knows she would not be where she is today without the person who first brought her into the gym.“

My father made me go to the gym one day and from there I never stopped,” stated Aguilar.

Now, she will have the opportunity to represent Team USA at the U19 World Championships, something Aguilar knows would not have happened without her father and coach.

“It means a lot because if it weren’t for all the hard work and my coach, my dad, I wouldn’t be here,” stated Aguilar. “At the end of the day, he brought me here. Now, I am excited to represent Team USA and him.”

What started with one trip to the gym has turned into a chance to compete for Team USA on the international stage. After building her career alongside her father, Aguilar is ready to see what she can do in Budva.

The 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships will take place in Budva, Montenegro, from October 14-28.

Asaan Jenkins Ready to Represent Team USA

This Month At 2026 U19 World Boxing Championships!

By: USA Boxing

(October 5th) Asaan Jenkins first stepped into the gym in 2016 after watching his brothers train alongside their father. The Washington, D.C., native would spend time watching from the outside before eventually joining them in the ring. Now, after ten years of boxing, his journey has led him to the international stage as a member of Team USA, where he will compete at the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships in Budva, Montenegro.

Currently competing in the 65kg weight class, Jenkins has built an impressive resume on both the national and international stages. Representing Team NoXcuse, he won the 2024 USA Boxing Junior Olympics and the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships, and earned a silver medal at the 2023 Silver Gloves. On the international stage, he secured a bronze medal at the 2026 World Boxing U19 Futures Cup, gaining experience against elite young competitors.

Despite his growing list of achievements, Jenkins understands that success in boxing takes time. Competing for Team USA at the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships means Jenkins will have the chance to represent his country on one of the biggest youth stages in the sport. With boxers from around the world traveling to Montenegro in pursuit of gold, Jenkins knows what he wants to bring home.

“Competing for Team USA at the world championships means a lot to me because this is one of the biggest youth tournaments you can compete in, and bringing back gold for Team USA will mean a lot,” stated Jenkins.

The same group that first introduced Jenkins to boxing is behind that goal, and his father and brothers remain his main role models, with his family as his primary source of motivation.
 

“My biggest motivation is my family,” stated Jenkins.

When Jenkins goes into the ring in Budva, he will have that motivation with him. Through boxing, he has been able to follow in the footsteps of his family at the same time as making his own way. Having spent years watching his brothers train, learning from his father, and sticking to his commitment during the tough times, Jenkins is now ready to take the next step.

Hadi Almashhadi Set To Represent Team USA

In Montenegro For U19 World Championships!

Angel Blancarte Is Ready For His Biggest Opportunity Yet

At World Boxing U19 Championships!

Caleb Stewart-Reid

Ready To Make A Name For Himself

At The World Boxing U19 Championships!

(September 23rd) Caleb Stewart-Reid started boxing in 2022 after looking for a new sport to try following the COVID-19 pandemic. Just four years later, Stewart-Reid has already made a name for himself at the national level and will now have the opportunity to represent Team USA at the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships in Budva, Montenegro.

Competing at 90+ kilograms, the Palm Bay, Florida, native put together a strong 2026 season, winning the USA Boxing National Championships, Golden Gloves, and USA Boxing Summer Festival/Junior Olympics. He also gained international experience at the 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup, where he earned a bronze medal.

While boxing has quickly become a major part of his life, it is not the only sport where Stewart-Reid has found success. Away from the gym, he is the No. 1 player and captain of his high school tennis team, giving him another outlet to compete and push himself.

Now, Stewart-Reid is taking that competitive mindset to the world stage. Representing Team USA at the U19 World Championships will give him a chance to face some of the best young boxers in the world and continue building on a boxing career that only began a few years ago.

For Stewart-Reid, the goal is simple.

“A chance to make a name for myself,” stated Stewart-Reid.

After starting boxing as a new sport to try following COVID-19, Stewart-Reid has quickly worked his way onto the national and international stage. Now, with the Team USA uniform on his back, Reid is ready for his biggest opportunity yet.

The 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships will take place in Budva, Montenegro., from October 14-28. 

Team USA Earns Five Wins

At Melee Gala XI In Canada!

(September 20th) USA Boxing traveled to Winnipeg, Canada, for the Melee Gala XI, where the United States faced Canada in a six-bout international duel. The Stars and Stripes went 5-1 in the international duel, behind victories by Noelle Haro, Lorenzo Patricio, Alisha Crockett, Marcus Luther, and Naomi Graham on Saturday, September 19.

Patricio kicked things off for the United States on Saturday, earning a unanimous decision victory over Canada’s Max Tomines in the 55-kilogram division. The Hawaii native improves his international record to 11-2 in 2026, while adding a gold medal from the World Boxing Cup: China 2026, and a silver medal from the 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament.

Following Patricio, Graham and Crockett carried Team USA's momentum. Graham secured a split decision victory over Canada’s Viktoria Penney in the 75-kilogram division. The 2020 Tokyo Olympian secured her second international victory of 2026. She also earned a bronze medal at the 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament earlier this year. As for Crockett, she defeated Canada’s Florence Belle Germain by a unanimous decision in the 60-kilogram division. Saturday’s win marked Crockett’s first international win of her career.

Luther and Haro continued the USA's winning streak, as Luther defeated Yacine Benaoudia by unanimous decision in the 65-kilogram division. Saturday’s win marked the Washington, D.C., native’s fifth international unanimous-decision victory in 2026 and improved his international record to 7-3. Luther recently won silver at the World Boxing Cup: China 2026.

Rounding out the day for the USA was Haro, who earned a split-decision win over McKenzie Wright in the 51-kilogram division. The Texas native improves to 4-2 on the international stage, including a bronze medal at the World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2026.

Also entering the ring on Saturday in Winnipeg was Tyric Trapp. After three rounds of Olympic style boxing, the New Jersey native fell short to Umar Carcamo by a split decision. Trapp has a 5-4 international record in 2026, including a bronze medal at the 2026 Copa America. Team USA will now return to Colorado Springs, where the team will begin camp ahead of the 2026 Pan American Championships. The 2026 Pan American Championships will take place in Puebla, Mexico, from October 17-25.

Nashville’s Stephen Grand Named

USA Boxing National Development Coach!

(September 16th) Stephen Grand (Nashville, Tenn.) has been named the USA Boxing National Development Coach, effective immediately, USA Boxing announced.

“I’m excited to have Stephen Grand step into the role of National Development Coach. Stephen has been a Pool Coach with our team for the past year, and his character, commitment to learning, and ability to adapt made him the standout candidate for this position. We’re excited to see Stephen continue to grow in this role and look forward to him helping develop the future.” Billy Walsh, the USA Boxing National Head Coach, stated.

Coach Grand brings more than seven years of coaching experience, including one year assisting with USA Boxing High Performance. Grand is the owner and head coach at Music City Boxing Gym, which is known as one of Tennessee’s premier boxing gyms.

Grand brings experience in technical and tactical athlete development, as well as athlete preparation. He has assisted with Team USA’s preparation for multiple international competitions in 2026, most recently the 2026 Capri Boxing Cup, where USA secured four victories in the dual.

“It’s an honor to be named the National Development Coach for USA Boxing. From the grassroots to the high-performance level, our objective is the same: develop smart, adaptable, fundamentally responsible, multi-phase attack boxers. I am grateful for the opportunity to help these athletes grow and give them the tools and confidence to take their talent above and beyond,” proclaimed Grand.

The National Development Coach is responsible for managing the development and performance of USA Boxing's Junior and Youth National Teams. Grand will take the reins for the Junior and Youth programs of USA Boxing and play a pivotal role in developing future Olympic hopefuls for the organization’s High Performance teams.

Nikki Burleson Named USA Boxing

National High-Performance Coach!