The Maui News

Central Maui Boxing Club’s Rocky Balala of Makawao lost a close decision to Johnathan Mansour of California in the quarterfinals of the 125-pound weight class at the USA Boxing Western Elite Qualifier and Regional Championships on Thursday in Reno, Nev.

On Wednesday, Balala defeated Timothy Longoria of Palacios, Texas, in the round of 16 by split decision. Longoria came into the fight ranked fourth in the nation in the weight class.

Balala defeated Marsalyss Mathis of Fayetteville, N.C., in his first bout on Monday when the referee stopped the contest.

On Tuesday, CMBC’s Furious Borge-Dickson was eliminated from the tournament that is a qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Trials when his bout in the 201-over weight class against Pryce Taylor of Brooklyn, N.Y., was stopped by the referee.