Dorchester Boxer to Represent USA in Mexico
Gilbert Kabamba will compete in the super heavyweight division at the 2026 PanAmerican Championships starting October 18.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Boxing
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Dorchester resident Gilbert Kabamba heads to Puebla, Mexico, to represent Team USA at the 2026 PanAmerican Championships. The super heavyweight competition is scheduled to run from October 18 through October 24.
Why it matters
Kabamba enters the tournament as a top contender following his recent gold medal performance at the 2026 Copa America in Colombia. He is one of 14 athletes selected to compete for Team USA across various weight classes.
Kabamba stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 250 pounds, entering the tournament with a career amateur record of 42-6. The Team USA delegation features 14 athletes competing across 14 distinct weight classes.
The players
Gilbert Kabamba
He is a 25-year-old super heavyweight boxer from Dorchester who previously spent seven years in a Ugandan refugee camp.
The details
A three-time New England Golden Gloves champion, Kabamba moved to Dorchester in November 2013 and has since developed his skills locally. He is currently finishing a multinational training camp in Mexico before the tournament begins.
Timeline
November 2013: Gilbert Kabamba moved to Dorchester.
May 2026: Kabamba secured a gold medal at the Copa America.
October 16, 2026: The athlete's training camp concludes.
October 18-24, 2026: The PanAmerican Championships are held in Puebla, Mexico.
Season Trajectory
Kabamba aims to leverage his recent victory at the 2026 Copa America to secure a high-ranking finish in Puebla. A strong performance here would solidify his standing among the top amateur super heavyweights in the Americas.
Kabamba carries a career amateur record of 42-6 into the tournament, serving as the sole Boston-based representative in the super heavyweight division. His performance will dictate the medal count for Team USA across the 14 participating weight classes.
The takeaway
Kabamba represents the local boxing community on an international stage after years of dedicated training in Dorchester. Residents and fans can track his progress through the tournament bracket throughout the final week of October.
Further reading
Follow the local amateur scene and tournament results on the Boxing section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dorchester Reporter.
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