AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. (AP) — Tyrieshia Douglas eliminated fellow flyweight Christina Cruz from the first U.S. Olympic women’s boxing team trials with a 22-14 victory Friday night, avenging an earlier loss and advancing to the finals.
Mikaela Mayer edged N’yteeyah Sherman to stay alive in the lightweight division, setting up a rematch with unbeaten Queen Underwood in Saturday’s final. Middleweight Tika Hemingway also moved to the final, trouncing Raquel Miller 21-6.
Douglas must fight unbeaten Marlen Esparza in Saturday’s final, while Hemingway will meet 16-year-old sensation Claressa Shields.
Douglas, Mayer and Hemingway must win to force winner-take-all finals on Sunday in the double-elimination tournament.
Esparza, Underwood and Shields can earn trips to China for the world championships in May with one more victory.
