Graham takes Team USA’s second win at 2022 Elite Women’s Championships
by Brian Taylor, USA Boxing
2018 Elite World Championships bronze medalist Naomi Graham (Fayetteville, N.C.) picked up Team USA’s second win at the 2022 Elite Women’s Championships in Istanbul, Turkey by way of a 4-1 decision over Aoife O’Rourke of Ireland.
Graham claimed the lead after a close first round, 3-2, before picking up her pace in the second round to take all five judges’ cards heading into the third and final round. At the conclusion of the third bout, the American middleweight had done enough to take the 4-1 overall decision, and a third victory over O’Rourke in their career matchups.
“I feel good,” stated Graham following her bout. “She came at me pretty fast, so I had to step it up. Overall, I feel great and ready for the next one.”
With her victory, Graham is set to face another familiar opponent on Saturday, Canada’s Tammara Thibeault.
Amelia Moore (Colorado Springs, Colo.) faced a tough opponent in Michaela Walsh of Ireland in her opening bout of these championships. Walsh took all three rounds, 4-1, to result in a unanimous decision over the American to advance to the next round.
Team USA will have two boxers’ step into the ring tomorrow, Rashida Ellis (Lynn, Mass.) and Jennifer Lozano (Laredo, Texas). Lozano will be the first bout of the evening session against Aziza Yokubova of Uzbekistan, while Ellis will be bout 12 in the same session and will face Croatia’s Marija Malenica.
Click here to follow all the action from Turkey.
May 11 Results
57 kg: Michaela Walsh/IRL dec. over Amelia Moore, Colorado Springs, Colo./USA, 5-0
75 kg: Naomi Graham, Fayetteville, N.C./USA, dec. over Aoife O’Rourke/IRL, 4-1
May 12 Schedule
50 kg: Jennifer Lozano, Laredo, Texas/USA, vs. Aziza Yokubova/UZB
60 kg: Rashida Ellis, Lynn, Mass./USA, vs. Marija Malenica/CRO