Harvey secures USA Boxing’s first medal of 2023 Santiago Pan American Games
by Luke Santangelo, USA Boxing
USA Boxing, with just two bouts today, were represented by their featherweight duo in Jahmal Harvey (Oxon Hill, Md.) and Alyssa Mendoza (Caldwell, Idaho) during the fifth day of boxing at the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.
Mendoza got the morning started for Team USA as she fought against the Canadian Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh. Mendoza, going down 3-2 in rounds one and two, had an uphill battle to come out on top against Al-Ahmadieh. Mendoza giving it her all, landed multiple right-hand jabs to Al-Ahmadieh’s body but judges scored it another 3-2 round in favor of Al-Ahmadieh to give the Canadian the overall 3-2 decision.
The second and final bout for the Americans was Harvey, who faced Keevin Allicock out of Guyana. Harvey, 2021 Elite World Championships gold medalist, came out aggressive and showed his speed and relentless fighting. The compact fighter boxed with confidence and was unloading multiple left hooks throughout the whole bout and dominated every round. Harvey took all three rounds and won by a unanimous decision in the end.
Harvey victory advances him to the semifinals, guaranteeing himself at least a bronze medal, solidifying the first American medal of these Pan American Games. He will face a familiar opponent on Thursday, Brazil’s Luiz Gabrial Oliveira, where a win will punch his ticket to next summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. The two boxers have gone head-to-head four times in their careers, each boxer with two wins. Jahmal defeated Oliveira at the 2019 Emil Jechev Youth Tournament and 2021 World Championships; however, Oliveira has come out on top in their last two matches, the 2022 AMBC Championships finals and the opening round of this year’s Strandja Tournament.
Team USA has a full slate tomorrow as five boxers will be competing, including three boxers who will be making their 2023 Santiago Pan American Games debut. Naomi Graham (Fayetteville, N.C.) officially begins her historic quest tomorrow where she tries to be the first American boxer to win gold in consecutive Pan American Games, while Joshua Edwards (Houston, Texas) and Morelle McCane (Cleveland, Ohio) will also make their debuts tomorrow in the morning session.
This year’s Pan American Games is serving as the first Paris Olympic Games 2024 qualifier for boxers from the Americas. Boxers must finish top two to punch their ticket to Paris, while boxers in the female 57 kg and 60 kg must finish top four to earn their spot. These Games are the 19th edition of the Pan American Games, bringing boxers from 27 different countries to Chile.
Click here to follow Team USA’s time in Santiago, including athlete stories, photo galleries, livestream and results.
Day 5 Results
57 kg: Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh/CAN dec. over Alyssa Mendoza, Caldwell, Idaho/USA 3-2
57 kg: Jahmal Harvey, Oxon Hill, Md./USA dec. over Keevin Allicock/ GUY, 5-0
Day 6 Schedule
10:00 a.m. ET session
66 kg: Morelle McCane, Cleveland, Ohio/USA, vs Nicole De Los Angeles Vega Moya/ CRC
75 kg: Naomi Graham, Fayetteville, NC/USA, vs Citlalli Vanessa Ortiz/ MEX
51 kg: Roscoe Hill, Spring, Texas/ USA, vs Rivas Yuberjen Herney Martinex/ COL
92+ kg: Joshua Edwards, Houston, Texas/ USA, vs Gerlon Gilmar Congo Chala/ ECU
4:00 p.m. ET session
50 kg: Jennifer Lozano, Laredo, Texas/ USA, vs Tayonis Cedeño Rojas/ VEN