Field set for finals of USA Boxing Olympic trials
Published 7:00 pm Sunday, December 15, 2019
Atif Oberlton (red) takes on Orville Crooks at the Civic Center in Lake Charles, La., Saturday, Dec.14, 2019. (Rick Hickman/Lake Charles American Press)
The field for the finals of the USA Boxing Olympic Trials are set after 13 fighters survived an elimination fight Saturday at the Lake Charles Civic Center.
Those fighters must win today to force winner-take-all fights Monday. The 13 finalists who advanced through the winner’s bracket must lose twice to be eliminated, but need only one win to earn a spot on Team USA.
Among the winners Saturday was Philadelphia’s Atif Oberlton, who earned a decision win over Orville Crooks in the 178-pound class. Oberlton will face top seed Rahim Gonzales in the finals. Gonzales beat Oberlton by decision Friday afternoon to earn his spot in the finals.
“This is my dream, to be an Olympic gold medalist, I can’t let anyone shatter that dream,” Oberlton said. “I could have turned pro three or four years ago but didn’t because I wanted that gold medal. I’ve been a student of the game, working every day to get better. No one can take this from me, the only person that can beat me is me.”
Jamar Talley (red) takes on Brandon Moore (blue) at the Civic Center in Lake Charles, La., Saturday, Dec.14, 2019. (Rick Hickman/Lake Charles American Press)
Jamar Talley beat Brandon Moore in the 201-pound division. He will face unbeaten Darius Fulgham in the finals. Talley and Fulgham entered the tournament as the two lowest-seeded fighters in the division.
“I have to do what I did (Friday), only 100 times more, because it wasn’t as good as it was supposed to be,” Talley said of facing Fulgham again. “Everybody has their day. I want to be number one and will have to step my game up to get it.”
Also winning Saturday were Joseph Hicks (165), Jeremiah Milton (super heavyweight), Anthony Herrera (114), David Navarro (125), Freudis Rojas (152) and Ernesto Mercado (138).
Female fighters advancing were Morelle McCane (165), Lupe Gutierrez (125), Amelia Moore (132), Christina Cruz (112) and Danyelle Wolf (152).
The final round will be held at the Golden Nugget casino/hotel beginning at 3 p.m. today. Admission is $30.
