US boxer Jajaira Gonzalez beats French gold medalist, quiets raucous crowd

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PARIS – The rumbling has begun at the Paris Olympics, and round one between the United States and France goes to the Americans.

Jajaira Gonzalez of the United States defeated France’s Estelle Mossely, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, Saturday night in the opening round of the boxing tournament.

“This might sound a little cocky, but I don’t fear anybody,’’ said Gonzalez, 27, who is making her Olympic debut. “I don’t care what they’ve won, what they’ve done. I just like to think that I’m the best. And, yeah, they may have won this or that, but I’m here now.’’

Not only did Gonzalez outpunch Mossely during their three-round bout, but she also quieted a raucous crowd that spent much of the bout chanting, singing, clapping and booing.

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They booed Gonzalez when she entered North Paris Arena for the fight and they booed the outcome of a bout fought at 60 kg (about 132 pounds).

Gonzalez won the fight by split decision on points over Mossely, who is 11-0-1 as a pro but returned to the amateur ranks in a quest for more Olympic gold.

“As soon as I heard the crowd booing me, it really turned me up,’’ Gonzalez said. “In other words, it really motivated me. … I was just having fun. That's why I think I looked over at the crowd and I smiled. I really wanted to blow a kiss.’’

Instead, she settled for delivering punches that helped get the rumbling off to a rousing start.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US boxer Jajaira Gonzalez beats French gold medalist, quiets raucous crowd