By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
The “Little Panther” is on the prowl for another national championship.
Del Rio’s Jesus “Panterita” Martinez moved one step closer to his 15th national championship when he defeated Michael Gaudreau of Fall River, Mass., by unanimous Tuesday night at the 2021 USA Boxing National Championships.
Martinez’s fight was the first of the evening in Ring 1.
More than 400 boxers are expected to compete at the Shreveport Convention Center in Shreveport, La., over the next couple of days with eyes on becoming national champions and moving one step closer to becoming part of the US Olympic team.
Martinez is one of 31 fighters competing in the 125-pound Youth Male division. According to the Team Panterita Facebook page, his next bout will be Thursday in the division’s quarterfinals.
“1 down, 3 more to go,” was posted below a screen shot of Martinez’s hand being raised in victory following Tuesday’s bout.
This is Martinez’s first tournament since July when he won the Junior Male 125-pound weight class championship at the 2021 USA Boxing National Junior Olympics in Lubbock for his 14th national championship. At that event, Martinez won four fights in four days, three via unanimous decision and one by technical knockout.
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