The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team saw three boxers advance to the medal rounds at the 2026 World Boxing Cup \u2013 Stage 1 in Foz do Igua\u00e7u, Brazil. Simona Winkler (70 kilograms), Salim Ellis-Bey (60 kilograms), and Noelle Haro (51 kilograms) each secured impressive victories during the day, bringing the United States to a guaranteed three medals for the tournament. The Red, White, and Blue will see all three boxers competing in Saturday\u2019s semifinal rounds.<\/p>\n
Winkler secured her second medal of the year after earning her second victory of the tournament. The Seattle native trailed 5-0 after the opening round but resiliently battled back to win the second and third rounds 4-1 over England\u2019s Chantelle Reid, securing a 4-1 split decision. Reid was deducted a point in the second round. Winkler will now square off with Australia\u2019s 2025 World Boxing Championships silver medalist Lekeisha Pergoliti in Session 1, Ring B, Bout 4, at approximately 10:45 a.m. ET.<\/p>\n
Following Winkler, Ellis-Bey dominated once again, earning his third victory of the tournament with a 4-1 split decision over Kyrgyzstan\u2019s Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu, a Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist. The Philadelphia native secured his first elite international medal with the win and will now square off with Canada\u2019s 2025 World Boxing Championships quarterfinalist Keoma Al-Ahmadieh in Session 1, Ring A, Bout 7, at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET.<\/p>\n
Securing the final win of the day for Team USA was Haro, as the Texas native battled back for the second straight day. After dropping the first round 3-2, she showed her resilience and adaptability by stepping up her pace in the final two rounds, earning a 5-0 scorecard in the second round and a 4-1 scorecard in the final round. Haro\u2019s 4-1 decision over the Dominican Republic\u2019s Esther Jimenez marked her second victory of the week, and she now secured her first international medal. She will face France\u2019s Romane Moulai in the semifinals in Session 2, Ring A, Bout 1, at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n
The United States had three other competitors in action throughout Friday\u2019s schedule, including Alyssa Mendoza (57 kilograms), Marie-Angelis Rosendo (65 kilograms), and Kelvin Watts (90+ kilograms). Mendoza fell 3-2 to Chinese Taipei\u2019s Shih Yi Wu, Rosendo fell 5-0 to Belgium\u2019s Oshin Derieuw, and Watts lost 4-1 to Norway\u2019s Omar Shih.<\/p>\n
At the World Boxing Cup – Stage 1, USA Boxing will be led by Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and assisted by National Development Coach Edward Fonteneaux (Fayetteville, N.C.) and Elite High Performance Coach Nikki Burleson (Oklahoma City, Okla.).<\/p>\n