Brackets Set for USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad at 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament

USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Squad is currently in Helsinki, Finland, for its first international tournament of the year. The Squad is set to compete in a four-day competition at the 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament, as USA Boxing sent eight boxers, including five men and three women.

The United States learned its path to gold on Wednesday during the Tournament Draw, which announced the opening bouts for each of the eight United States boxers. USA Boxing will see three boxers enter the ring on day one of competition, including Jayshannet Zapata, Alexis Proctor and Dustin Jimenez. 

Two of the three American Women in Finland will compete on Thursday as Zapata (54 kilograms) and Proctor (65 kilograms) will kick things off for the USA and make their international debuts. Zapata will go head-to-head with Scotland’s Stephanie Kemacha in Ring A, Bout 3, beginning at approximately 7:30 a.m. ET. Proctor will make her elite international debut against Sweden’s Dina Daoud in Ring A, Bout 11, starting at approximately 9:30 a.m. ET.

Rounding out Thursday’s action for the United States will be Dustin Jimenez (65 kilograms), who returns to international competition after competing at the 2025 World Boxing Cup: Brazil last year. Jimenez will enter Ring A at approximately 10 a.m. ET against Norway’s Yusup Jama Yusup.

Moving on to Friday, the Stars and Stripes will then have three more boxers making their international and tournament debut. Deborah Grant (57 kilograms) will kick things off against Belgium’s Ana Khunjua. Following Grant, the USA will see Yahir Diaz-Martinez (60 kilograms) going head-to-head with Belgium’s Nadir Boulaiz, followed by Kentrell Rouser (70 kilograms) against Switzerland’s Timm Kellenberger.

On Saturday, Team USA will have two boxers in the semifinals, securing at least bronze medals at the 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament. Moises Rodriguez (55 kilograms) will face Sweden’s Joshua Muyinda, while 2025 Brandenburg Cup gold medalist Nnajai Wright (90+ kilograms) will make his elite international debut against Denmark’s David Bakshs.
Throughout the competition at the 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament, the United States will be led by USA Boxing’s National Development Coach Edward Fonteneaux (Fayetteville, N.C.), and assisted by Holly Gregson (Idaho Falls, Idaho), Billy Rafalko (Philadelphia, Pa.), and Ronald Wright (Columbus, Ga.).

Additional tournament information for the 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament, including broadcast links, daily bout sheets, results, tournament updates, and more, will be uploaded to the event page on the USA Boxing website, where followers can find the 2026 GeeBee Boxing Tournament.

2026 Gee Bee Boxing Opening Bouts Schedule:

Thursday, April 9

Women’s 54 KG: Jayshannet Zapata, USA vs. Stephanie Kemacha, SCO

Women’s 65 KG: Alexis Proctor, USA vs. Dina Daoud, SWE

Men’s 65 KG: Dustin Jimenez vs. Yusup Jama Yusup, NOR
Friday, April 10

Women’s 57 KG: Deborah Grant, USA vs. Ana Khunjua, BEL

Men’s 60 KG: Yahir Diaz-Martinez, USA vs. Nadir Boulaiz, BEL

Men’s 70 KG: Kentrell Rouser, USA vs. Timm Kellenberger, SUI
Saturday, April 11

Men’s 55 KG: Moises Rodriguez, USA vs. Joshua Muyinda, SWE

Men’s 90+ KG: Nnajai Wright vs. David Bakshs, DEN