Pan American Games Gold Medalist Julius Ballo
Returning from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico is the Bomber Squad Boxing Academy’s world travelers, head trainer Berlin Kerney IV, standout boxer Jonny Mansour, this year’s Pan American Games Top Qualifier Julius Ballo plus Julius Ballo’s oh so proud father Jack Ballo.
After USA Amateur Boxer Julius Ballo’s latest accomplishment at this year’s 2021 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, the 18-year-old from Santee, Calif. now finds himself in an even better position to represent the United States in the 2024 Olympic Games which is set to take place in Paris, France. Yes, that Paris, France. One of the world’s leading centers of art and fashion with their designer boutiques which the Ballo female family members may have interest in exploring.
And what other achievements has this local USA Featherweight done to be considered for a spot on the USA Boxing Team? Suffice it to say, if we were to list all his accomplishments, medals, trophies, State and National Championships and now International Awards, it might be time consuming. From the first time he started hitting the punching bag at age eight until the present, Julius “Ju-ju” Ballo has been working to become a force in USA Boxing, a constant high achiever who has never shyed away from facing the very best within his weight division.
What sets Ballo apart from other young boxers? While others boxers tend to throw their punches a bit wide and cover up more, the seemingly fearless Ballo, with his extremely high boxing IQ and leaner body frame comes at you with these machine gun like, well placed punches which are quicker and more accurate. At this point in his career, his family, mates in the gym and trainer Berlin Kerney are of the mind set that Julius Ballo might be unbeatable.
With his love of competing, it didn’t take long before this youngster acquired a slew of these USA Amateur Boxing Medals. In do time, those medals were replaced by Championship Belts. As mentioned, his latest tournament win earned him the coveted Gold Medal at the Youth Pan-American games. Insiders now believe Julius is ready to maintain a more permanent position on Team USA which means the 18-year-old will soon be facing more and more of the strongest featherweights from around the world. To the average joe, this step by step progression to represent your country in the Olympics might seem a bit bewildering. Not to Julius Ballo, a multi–USA National Champion, Golden Gloves Champion, Junior Olympic Gold Medalist, two time International Gold Medalist, and Ringside World Championship Finalist who now has just under three years to be ready to represent the US in those 2024 Olympics in Paris. The requirement to take a French Speaking class might be next on the Ballo Family to do list.
Remember: just to qualify for the Youth Pan-American games, Julius had to place first at the USA Nationals Tournament held earlier this year. That’s when he found himself facing the top ranked boxers from all across the United States. Also, we mustn’t lose sight of the multiple organizations involved in this sport. First, you have USA Amateur Boxing in Colorado, then there is our national governing body for Olympic-style boxing, which is overseen by the United States Olympic Committee which is beholdening to the International Boxing Association.
While leading the charge towards the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Julius Ballo must also keep in mind how being the “frontrunner” has its drawbacks. For the next couple of years he’ll be the one walking around with that big target on his back. That being said, Head Coach Berlin Kerney sounds extremely confident: “Sharpening his skills and battling it out in these global tournaments only fuels his hunger to go even harder for that Olympic Gold. With competition being the way it is, Julius’ relentless training, conditioning and focus has to continue. Taking home the Gold at the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara in their single elimination tournament meant he has the ability to survive these “20-plus” country tournaments and eventually achieve the goal he has of earning a Gold Medal in Paris.”
Just prior to Ballo’s departure to Guadalajara, Mexico, the site of this year’s Pan American Games, KUSI’s Sports’ Anchor Paul Rudy and co-Anchor Lauren Phinney interviewed Julius on their popular “Good Morning San Diego TV Show.” Before that interview ended Mr. Rudy made Julius promise to return to the show after his victory. Ballo made good on that promise and when the call came from KUSI, there was Julius “Ju ju” Ballo with his newly acquired Gold Medal for all to see.
As far as the young ladies go, El Paso, Texas amateur boxer Kayla Gomez won herself a Gold Medal at the same Junior Pan American Games Qualifier on Sunday in Guadalajara, Mexico. Therefore, she too will be representing the USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team (at 112 pounds) after cruising to an easy victory to qualify for the continuation of this year’s Pan American Games which is now scheduled to take place November 25 through December 5, 2021 in Cali, Colombia.
In her first bout, she defeated Flor Rodriguez of Colombia by a first round stoppage. In the semifinals, she defeated Jennifer Pardo of Ecuador with a second round stoppage and in the finals on Sunday, Gomez defeated Mexico’s Margarita Marguia by decision to finish 3-0 in the tournament.
With the three victories in Guadalajara, Gomez improved her overall Amateur record to 58-4 overall and in her final match, they boasted Gomez fought extremely well being the aggressor throughout.
With Ms. Kayla’s growing collection of Belts and Medals having finished on top at the 2020, 2019 & 2018 Western Regional Open, the 2018 & 2017 Junior Open Championships, and the 2017 & 2018 Eastern Regionals, this young lady has accrued quite a collection. She’s also a 5-time National Junior Olympic champion (2015 through 2019). Just as people talk about the Gomez, the Chavez, the Alvarez and the Morales clans, it’s safe to say here is yet another Boxing Family. Both Kayla’s Mom plus Grandmom have ring records and if young Kayla isn’t competing somewhere it’s likely one of her relatives is.
