Laredo’s First Olympic Boxer Sets Sights on LA28 Gold After Copa America Call‑Up

*TL;DR: Laredo’s inaugural Olympian, boxer Jennifer Lozano, earned a spot on the U.S. team for the 2026 Copa America in Colombia and says the road to a 2028 Los Angeles gold medal has only just begun.

Jennifer Lozano, 23, will compete in the 51‑kilogram (112‑pound) weight class at the Copa America Boxing Tournament in Colombia from May 17‑25. The event marks her second international outing this year after a split‑decision loss in Bulgaria earlier in February.

Lozano’s journey began at age nine and accelerated when she qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics. A unanimous decision defeat to Finland’s Pihla Kaivo‑oja, fought while she battled a 104‑degree fever from COVID‑19, ended her professional‑boxing aspirations and redirected her focus to another Olympic cycle.

She announced the shift with a clear statement: “I’m not stopping until I get my gold medal in LA28.” The comment underscores her commitment to the 2028 Games, which will be held in Los Angeles.

In April, LBJ High School in Laredo unveiled a bench honoring Lozano alongside coaches Eddie and Michelle Vela. The dedication highlighted her role as a community role model and the support network that helped her rise from a south‑side high school to the world stage.

Lozano’s preparation has been methodical. After a postponed appearance at Finland’s Gee Bee Tournament due to wisdom‑tooth surgery, she spent an unusually long three‑week stay in Laredo, training with coach Eddie Vela at Boxing Pride Fitness. The extended home base allowed her to rebuild chemistry with her coaching team and maintain a focused training routine.

U.S. Boxing officials have placed Lozano on the High‑Performance Team for the Copa America, signaling confidence in her ability to secure a spot at the 2028 Olympic qualifiers. Her recent split‑decision loss in Sofia showed competitive resilience, and she has been off social media to preserve focus.

The upcoming Copa America will serve as a benchmark for Lozano’s Olympic bid. Strong performance could improve her world ranking and position her favorably for the U.S. Olympic trials.

What to watch next: Lozano’s results in Colombia will shape her path to the 2028 Olympic trials, while her community engagements in Laredo may inspire a new generation of athletes from the region.