It’s heartbreak time. With high hopes and dreams, Jajaira Gonzalez made a remarkable comeback last year after a four-year hiatus. She was the first boxer from the United States to qualify for the Paris Olympics. But it seems her quest for an Olympic medal might go unfulfilled. She had quietened a boisterous French crowd, ousting the home favorite, Estelle Mossely, in the Round of 32. But at the next stage, she had to match her wits with the reigning lightweight champion, Beatriz Ferreira. Proving her pedigree, the Brazilian pro secured a comfortable win through points.

Rumor has it that it might be the last Olympics to stage boxing as one of the events. So it might as well be her last attempt at Olympic glory as well. Given the loss she suffered, a crushed Jajaira Gonzalez reached out to fans, sharing her grief.

The Fight isn’t Over: Jajaira Gonzalez

“Obviously, I’m disappointed. I’m hurt,” said Jajaira Gonzalez. With mixed emotions, she acknowledged the opportunity she had received. At the same time, she displayed a strong resolve to continue striving and not give up, irrespective of the challenges that may come. but she couldn’t hide her frustration over the unfair obstacles that marred her journey, making it particularly difficult.

She said, “Felt like I was set up from the beginning, man!” Accepting the outcome of the last bout, she shared that she had performed well enough to score a victory. Then, turning a bit reflective, Gonzalez suggested that perhaps there’s a larger purpose behind whatever happened in Paris.

Expressing her heartfelt thanks to everyone who believed in her and supported her throughout, the 27-year-old said, “Now it’s time to work harder. Also, on a side note, if you pros say the f*ck about the amateurs, please, cuz, you’re pro for a reason. I’m mad. I did enough.”

The day before yesterday, in the Round of 32, Jajaira Gonzalez faced 31-year-old Estelle Mossely at the Arena Paris Nord.

Victory followed by a stinging reversal

The Frenchwoman came up vigorously. The first two rounds were pretty close. While controlling the opening round, the American boxer had to concede the next to the tenured French boxer. Mossely, however, faced a one-point deduction on account of a warning received. But Jajaira Gonzalez turned the tide of the match in the final round, topping the scorecard among all five judges. the final outcome: with only one judge remaining neutral (28-28), the remaining four awarded the match to the American fighter, handing over a win by a 4-0 margin.

But the story was different in the next round of the preliminaries. It was a clean sweep for Salvador, Bahia-born Beatriz Ferreira. The IBF light-weight champion didn’t allow a single round for Jajaira Gonzalez to take over. A dominant performance right through the rounds convinced all five judges to hand over a clear 5-0 ‘Win on Points’ for the unbeaten professional boxer who won a silver at the last Olympics in Tokyo.

Several reports suggest that boxing might not be one of the featured sports in the 2028 LA Games. So in that eventuality, it remains to be seen what decision Jajaira Gonzalez might be taking. Whether to continue with the amateur circuit for some more time, like winning medals at the Pan American Games. Or take the final switch over to the professional arena.

Were you able to watch the fight between Jajaira Gonzalez and Estelle Mossely? What are your thoughts on it?