By Raquel Ruiz
In October, the Pan American games will be hosted in Guadalajara, Mexico. First round Games qualifiers are happening now in Cumaná, Venzuela until Tuesday, March 30th.
Unfortunately out of the entire US male team participants in this event, only the super heavy weight, Danny Kelly will have a chance to win in the semi finals.
On the other hand, two women will represent the US in the semifinals starting today. Christina Cruz, from New York is fighting against Venezuelan Karla Maglioco, in the 112 lbs. Whoever wins tomorrow will box for the first place on Tuesday.
The second woman boxer is in the 132 lbs, Queen Underwood, who arrives after wining her bout against Canadian Sandra Bizier, 12-7. Tonight Underwood will face Brazilian Adriana Araujo. On Tuesday, March 30, the winner will face the winner from the bout between Maria Marimandi from Ecuador and Kiria Tapia from Puerto Rico. Tonight the Queen of the ring has many probabilities of winning the spot for the finals and then a ticket to the Pan American games.
Underwood gained the respect of all the boxers and media last September in Barbados, at the World Championship, when she performed the best bout of the tournament against Katy Taylor who was then the best AIBA boxer of the world. The Queen’s goal is to be in next year’s Summer Olympic Games.