Team USA wins all their opening bouts on first day of competition at World Championships
Team USA closed out an incredible day of competition with wins from all five of its competitors on Thursday at the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, England. The United States advanced boxers in five men’s weight classes heading into day two and will look to continue its successful start with three more boxers in action on day two of the competition. There are nine days of boxing remaining in the inaugural World Boxing Championship inside M&S Bank Arena.
Orlando Zamora sparked the United States’ successful opening day with a 4-1 win over the Kyrgyz Republic’s Zafarbek Kamilov in the 55-kilogram division. Zamora was graceful throughout the bout and utilized a masterful defensive display to overextend his opponent. The Turlock, Calif., native closed the bout with confidence behind the roars of his fans and teammates.
Rene Camacho provided excitement in his 60-kilogram matchup against Croatia’s Filip Poturovic, despite trailing on the scorecards heading into the final round. After round one, the Houston, Texas, product chipped away at his opponent and trimmed his deficit to 3-2 with one round to go. While Camacho’s reach and power were instrumental throughout the bout, they were especially noticeable in the final round and ultimately earned him a 3-2 decision over the Croatian.
Carlos Flowers (Dover, Del.) earned the USA’s third win of the day with a dominant 4-1 victory over Azerbaijan’s Sarkhan Aliyev. Flowers immediately asserted himself and made his opponent throw power punches in hopes of stopping the bout. However, Flowers’ fight IQ proved too much, and he ultimately wore out the Azerbaijan boxer.
Ramon Ordonez (Newark, N.J.) squared off against Mexico’s Kevin Davila to kick off the United States’ slate in the second session. Ordonez flashed his jab throughout the 60-kilogram bout and danced aside each time his Mexican foe pressed forward. Defense was critical for Ordonez against Davila, and he eventually earned a unanimous decision for his first international victory on the Team USA roster.
Malachi Georges (Teaneck, N.J.) tied a bow on Team USA’s perfect day by consistently using his jab to control Estonia’s Stiven Aas in a 90-kilogram showdown. Georges has repeatedly shown that athleticism and confidence are keys to his game, and Thursday’s win was no different. He flicked his jab out and caused damage throughout the bout. Georges then landed multiple devastating blows with his left hand. Team USA’s 90 kg representative left his opponent’s eye swollen before stepping out of the ring with a unanimous decision of his own.
The United States will see three more boxers compete on day two of the 2025 World Boxing Championships. Leading off for the USA is Alyssa Mendoza in the 57-kilogram division, who will take on Colombia’s Valeria Mendoza. Mendoza is slated to begin at approximately 6:15 a.m. ET in Ring B. Morelle McCane is in action three bouts later, Ring B, against England’s Sacha Hickey in the 65-kilogram bracket, beginning at approximately 7 a.m. ET.
Kelvin Watts will be the lone Team USA boxer competing in Friday’s second session and will do so in Ring A, bout 11. Watts takes on Lithuania’s Algirdas Baniulis in the super heavyweight showdown, beginning at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET.
