The WBC Boxing Grand Prix delivered fireworks on August 13 in Saudi Arabia, with the quarterfinal round setting the stage for October’s semifinals. When the dust settled, South Africa emerged as the dominant nation, carrying three fighters into the final four.
Keaton Gomez (13-3, 11 KOs), Ntethelelo Nkosi (10-2, 5 KOs), and Bekizizwe Maitse (9-1, 3 KOs) all punched their tickets to the next stage, giving South Africa the strongest presence of any country. Their performances have turned them into clear favorites for the coveted José Sulaimán Trophy, though the global field remains stacked.
Colombia and France each advanced two fighters, with Colombia’s Carlos Sinisterra (13-1, 10 KOs) and Carlos Utria (12-0, 10 KOs) continuing their rise, while France’s Lancelot Proton de la Chappelle (18-1-1, 5 KOs) and unbeaten Yoni Valverde (16-0, 3 KOs) kept French hopes alive.
Other nations will be represented by one fighter each, including Dante Stone (21-1, 13 KOs) from the U.S., Derek Pomerleau (14-0, 11 KOs) of Canada, Dylan Biggs (16-1, 9 KOs) of Australia, Danylo Lozan (15-0, 9 KOs) from Ukraine, Mujibillo Tursunov of Uzbekistan, Muhamet Qamili (17-0, 7 KOs) of Italy, Kevin Ramírez (11-0-1, 4 KOs) of Argentina, Ahmed Krnjic (6-0, 4 KOs) of Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Brandon Mejía (11-0, 9 KOs) representing Mexico.
The semifinals in October will determine who advances to the tournament’s grand finale, with national pride and world recognition on the line. With South Africa holding the numbers advantage but other nations boasting unbeaten prospects, the stage is set for a dramatic and unpredictable finish.
Fight card:
▪️Carlos Utria vs. Ntethelelo Nkosi, 6 rounds, super lightweight semi-final
▪️Carlos Sinisterra vs. Derek Pomerleau, 6 rounds, middleweight semi-final
▪️Mujibillo Tursunov vs. Danylo Lozan, 6 rounds, super lightweight semi-final
▪️Brandon Mejia Mosqueda vs. Bekizizwe Maitse, 6 rounds, featherweight semi-final
▪️Muhamet Qamili vs. Yoni Valverde Jr, 6 rounds, featherweight semi-final
▪️Ahmed Krnjic vs. Keaton Gomes, 6 rounds, heavyweight semi-final
▪️Dante Stone vs. Kevin Cristopher Ramirez, 6 rounds, heavyweight semi-final
▪️Dylan Biggs vs. Lancelot Proton de la Chapelle, 6 rounds, middleweight semi-final
Watch this event live here: Watch
