Jajaira Gonzalez and Jennifer Lozano Win Gold at AMBC Elite Championship

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador (April 1, 2022) — Jajaira Gonzalez (Glendora, Calif.) and Jennifer Lozano (Laredo, Texas) closed out their 2022 AMBC Elite Championship run on top of the medal podium, while Rashida Ellis (Lynn, Mass.) came away with a silver medal for Team USA in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Lozano, who was making her international debut at these championships, as well as boxed in a new weight class, once again put on an impressive performance to take all five judges’ cards over Argentina’s Tatiana Flores Milagros. Four of the five judges scored the bout 29-28, while the final judge gave all three rounds to the American. Lozano defeated Colombia’s Liliana Murillo Deicy (5-0), as well as Genesis Gomez of Ecuador (RSC), in route to her gold medal victory.

Gonzalez closed out the day for Team USA by coming back from a standing eight count in the first round, which appeared to be more of a slip than from a punch, to take the 4-1 decision over Brazil’s Rebeca Santos. The three-time World Champion and Youth Olympic Champion took victories over Argentina’s Beatriz Viviana (4-1) and Colombia’s Angie Pana (3-2) in her other two bouts of these championships. This marked her first international tournament since taking part in the USA vs. Canada duels back in 2018.

The final member of Team USA to step into the ring yesterday, Rashida Ellis (Lynn, Mass.), finally got her opportunity to box after receiving a bye in the first round that was followed by a walkover win to advance to the finals against 2020 Olympic silver medalist Beatriz Ferreira of Brazil. Ellis was up 4-1 following the first round, however, could not continue to hold on to the victory in the judges’ eyes, falling short, 4-1, at the conclusion of the bout.

All three females join bronze medalists Kayla Gomez (El Paso, Texas) and Amelia Moore (Colorado Springs, Colo.) to contribute to five of Team USA’s 13 total medals.

Competition will conclude today with the men’s championship bouts, where the Americans will have six boxers go for gold.

Women’s Finals Results

50 kg: Jennifer Lozano, Laredo, Texas/USA, dec. over Tatiana Flores Milagros/ARG, 5-0

60 kg: Beatriz Ferreira/BRA dec. over Rashida Ellis, Lynn, Mass./USA, 4-1

63 kg: Jajaira Gonzalez, Glendora, Calif./USA, dec. over Rebeca Santos/BRA, 4-1