Press release and lead photo courtesy of Boxing Canada. Photo, left-right: Omar Zaatiti, Scarlett Delgado, Marie Al-Ahmadieh, Keoma-Ali Al-Ahmadieh at the 2024 Melee Gala, Winnipeg
September 26, 2024 – The road to the LA2028 Olympic Games kicked off with a thrilling night of international boxing, as athletes from Canada and the USA squared off in a series of competitive bouts. The event set the tone for an exciting new Olympic cycle, with standout performances from athletes across multiple weight divisions.
International Highlights and Results:
- 54kg: Scarlett Delgado (Destiny Boxing, Ontario) claimed victory over Yoseline Perez (Texas) in a highly anticipated match. Delgado, the more experienced boxer, showcased her poise and skill against the promising Perez, securing the win and Fight of the Night.
- 57kg: Marie Al-Ahmadieh (Pound4Pound, Quebec) triumphed over Lisa Greer (Colorado). Despite shaking off some rust after recovering from a recent illness, Marie’s resilience and strength shone through, leading her to a solid win.
- 60kg: Keoma-Ali Al-Ahmadieh (Pound4Pound, Quebec) delivered a stellar performance against the talented Francis Stewart (Ohio). Keoma’s display of skill earned him the title of Best Boxer of the Night, reinforcing his status as one to watch.
- 65kg: Omar Zaatiti (Ring 83, Quebec), in his first international fight, took on Dustin Jimenez (New York). Zaatiti showed immense potential in a dominant performance, marking an excellent start to his international career.
Athlete and Coach Reactions:
Reflecting on the event’s success, Scarlett Delgado expressed her enthusiasm for the new Olympic cycle, “It was a great beginning to this new upcoming cycle. This is a good preview for what’s to come between USA and Canada – two countries working together to elevate performance.”
Coach Samir El Mais also praised the efforts of both teams, saying “It was a good night with our athletes able to demonstrate their skills and fitness. The USA sent durable opponents and no doubt we’ll see them again on the pathway to LA28.”
Coach Vincent Auclair shared his satisfaction with the team’s performance. “I’m very happy that we were able to get our fighters some international experience to start the quad. They all performed very well. It is something we will be able to build on. Quality international competition is critical to developing the skills needed for Olympic Medals.”
The international competition continues this Saturday at the United Boxing Club Classic, where rematches between Canada and the USA are expected to deliver more intense action as both nations prepare for the road to LA2028.
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For media inquiries regarding the Canadian National Team please contact Christopher Lindsay at [email protected]
About Boxing Canada: Boxing Canada is the national sport organization for the sport of Olympic Boxing in Canada. It provides leadership for national programming, teams, and policies in partnership with each province and territory’s sport organization. Thanks to the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Sting Canada, and all our national partners for their support. For more information on Boxing Canada, please visit BoxingCanada.org.
