That sent Fuentes to the semifinals, where he faced 25-year-old Francis Walker, the No. 3 seed. It was a battle of the youngest and oldest fighters in the bracket.

“I was a little nervous,” Fuentes said. “This is a grown man.”

Walker got the better of Fuentes in the first round, but Fuentes dug deep and rallied to win the next two rounds and claim a unanimous decision. Now, there was only one more opponent standing in Fuentes’ way — top-seeded Steven Navarro, setting up an all-California championship bout.

“There was not really too much stress on me because I knew he was a good opponent, but I know my skills speak for themselves as well,” Fuentes said. “Then we got in there and I got it done.”

But not without a little more drama.

Fuentes, who at just 5-foot-5 was a couple inches taller than Navarro, appeared to be the more confident and aggressive fighter in winning the opening round, 5-0. With an Olympic trials championship on the line and the intensity level increased, the result remained in doubt at the final bell. While the judges ruled Navarro had the better third round, 4-1, Fuentes had done enough, especially in the first round, to come away with a 3-2 split decision.

While that chapter of the Cinderella story is complete, there is more that needs to happen for Fuentes to make it to the Olympics. Jahmal Harvey has already clinched the U.S. spot at 57 kg. for Paris, but Fuentes does get to participate in the Team USA selection camp in January as Harvey’s alternate.

Four other men who won at the Olympic trials — Dedrick Crocklem (63.5 kg.), Keon Davis (71 kg.), Nathan Lugo (80 kg.) and Malachi Georges (92 kg.) — will take part in the selection camp against another boxer for the right to go to Paris.

Women’s winner Lisa Greer (60 kg.), Stephanie Simon (66 kg.), Christine Forkins (75 kg.) and fellow men’s winner Ali Feliz (92-plus kg.) are, like Fuentes, an alternate.

Fuentes knows it’s a long shot that he gets to Paris, but knocking off the top three seeds in his weight class proves that he belongs among the nation’s elite. If not Paris, he hopes to be in the mix to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games LA 2028.

“Honestly, if I don’t get to this Olympics, then I’ll probably try to shoot for the next one as well,” Fuentes said. “I’ll be a young fighter still. Hopefully I can get to this one. And even if I get to this one, my plan is still shoot for the next one as well.”

Teen Jordan Fuentes Capped An Emotional Cinderella Run With A Win At The Olympic Boxing Trials

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