USA Boxing Youth Team Shines on Day One of Brandenburg Cup
The USA Boxing Youth High Performance team had an impressive start at the 2025 Brandenburg Cup held in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, achieving seven victories on opening day. This strong performance set a positive tone for the rest of the week, leaving the United States with 12 boxers still in the running for gold medals with three days left in the tournament.
Joseph Awinongya Leads the Charge
Joseph Awinongya, competing in the men’s 80 kg category from Joliet, Illinois, secured the first victory for Team USA with a convincing 5-0 win over Norway’s Vincent Solberg Odland. Awinongya showcased a dynamic blend of speed and power, effectively controlling the match with his jab and right hand. He will compete against Germany’s Ahmed Nada on Thursday in the first session, scheduled for approximately 9:15 a.m. ET.
Angel Blancarte Dominates
Angel Blancarte from Hutchinson, Kansas, also delivered a stellar performance in the men’s 85 kg division, winning decisively with another 5-0 decision against Hungary’s Gyula Bozai. His reach was a significant advantage, forcing Bozai to stay on the defensive. Blancarte moves forward to the semifinals and has a day off before facing Germany’s Henry Seiler on Friday.
Strong Showings from Lavan Brownlee and Jose Vasquez
Lavant Brownlee, representing Louisville, Kentucky, clinched another unanimous decision win for the United States in the men’s 65 kg class, scoring points with consistent two-punch combinations against Italy’s Alessandro Bramerini. He will face Lithuania’s Nojus Samatauskas on Thursday morning. Jose Vasquez, competing in the men’s 70 kg category from Dallas, Texas, also registered a 5-0 victory over Germany’s Jason-Andre Sovva, and will compete against Canada’s Jacob Pagaling in the quarterfinals during the second session on Thursday.
Successful Day for Salim Ellis-Bey and Nnajai Wright
Salim Ellis-Bey from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, demonstrated impressive speed and aggression to win 5-0 against Italy’s David Gerstenlauer, setting him up for a match against Australia’s Jay Jones later on Thursday. The day ended with Nnajai Wright from Richmond, Virginia, achieving a 4-1 victory over Romania’s Denis Cucu. He will face Hungary’s Csaba Bodnar in his next match during the second session.
Challenges for Laila Zakirova
Team USA’s Laila Zakirova participated as well but faced a setback, losing 5-0 to England’s Ruby White. Despite this, the team remains strong, with six athletes returning to compete on Thursday and five new athletes debuting, including Lauryn Elmore and Joscelyn Olayo-Munoz among others.
Broadcast and Schedule Information
For Thursday’s matches, fans can access live coverage of the Brandenburg Cup for €12.99 through the German Boxing Federation’s platform. The complete schedule for Team USA is available, with bouts expected to be competitive as they continue their pursuit of medals. Follow the updates on the USA Boxing tournament page for the latest information.
