Garcia takes second win of 2023 Strandja Tournament

by USA Boxing

Light welterweight Emilio Garcia (Laredo, Texas) grabbed his second win in Sofia, Bulgaria at the 2023 Strandja Tournament to take Team USA’s lone victory of the day. 


Garcia faced Artur Shakhpazyan of Armenia, the 2022 European U22 silver medalist, to close out the day for the American team that saw two boxers fall short of victory earlier in the day.


Garcia took all five judges’ score cards following the first round before extending his lead after another strong second round, which saw one judge score the round 10-8. 


The American continued to control the pace of the fight during the final round, claiming a unanimous decision victory at the conclusion of the bout to advance to tomorrow’s third round matchup against Algeria’s Jugurth Ait Bekka. 


Jahmal Harvey (Oxon Hill, Md.) and Omari Jones (Orlando, Fla.) saw their tournament run come to an end following their losses against tough opponents. 


Day 2 Results

57 kg: Luiz Oliveria/BRA dec. over Jahmal Harvey, Oxon Hill, Md./USA, 4-1

63.5 kg: Emilio Garcia, Laredo, Texas/USA, dec. over Artur Shakhpazyan/ARM, 5-0

71 kg: Nikolai Terteryan/DEN dec. over Omari Jones, Orlando, Fla./USA, 5-0